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A 



NARRATIVE 



OF 



THE CA3IPAIGNS 



OF THE 



LOYAL LUSITANIAN LEGION, 



BRIGADIER GENERAL 

SIR ROBERT WILSON, 

AIDE-DE-CAMP TO HIS MAJESTY, AND KNIGHT OF THE ORDERS OF MARIA 
THERESA, AND OF THE TOWER AND SWORD. 

With some Account of the 

S^Hftarp *3Dperatt'ong tit £>pam an& Portugal 



THE YEARS 1809, 1810 & 1811 



LONDON: 

PRINTED FOR T. EGERTON, 
MILITARY LIBRARY, WHITEHALL 

1812. 



lONDON: PRINTED BY C. ROWORTH, BELL-YARD, TEMPLE-BAR. 



i 



DEDICATION 

TO THE 

BRITISH AND PORTUGUEZE OFFICERS 

IN THE 

SERVICE OF THE PRINCE REGENT OF PORTUGAL 



THE Author (an Officer in his Majesty's 
service, and a Captain in the Portugueze) had 
intended to ask permission to inscribe this small 
Treatise to the Right Honourable Lord Viscount 
Castlereagh, under whose auspices the Loyal 
Lusitanian Legion was raised ; who assisted its 
establishment, and encouraged its endeavours; 
and to whom the British officers who were at- 
tached to it may still look for protection. 

But to avoid the suspicion of flattery or pre- 
sumption, he dedicates it to his Brethren in 

Arms* 



IV DEDICATION. 

Arms, assured from his knowledge of his Lord- 
ship's character, that he will participate with 
more pleasure in any observations on their worth 
and excellent conduct than in the most studied 
panegyrics on his own. 



CONTENTS. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Advertisement - - - - - - - vii 

Introductory Chapter from Colonel Mayne's Journal in 
1808 j - - - 1 

A Narrative of the Campaigns of the Loyal Lusitanian 
Legion, &c. &c. - - * - 29 



APPENDIX. 

Page. 

A Memoir of the celebrated Portugueze Patriot, the ve- 
nerable Bishop of Porto - - - 119 

Private Instructions for the British Army on entering 
Portugal and Spain - - - - 126 

Suspension of Arms and the Convention of Cintra - 152 

General Moore's Retreat - - - - 189 

The last Moments of General Moore - 201 

Colonel Mayne appointed the Governor of Almeida - 209 

The Captured Mail - - - - - 212 

Sir Robert Wilson's Dispatch relating to an Affair at San 
Felices on the Agueda River - 214 

Colonel 



CONTENTS. 
Colonel Mayne's Instructions and Orders to move with 



the Legion to Alcantara - - - - 220 

Battle of Alcantara ----- 231 
Battle of Talavera de la Reyna - 9A6 
The Loyal Lusitanian Legion oblige the French to re- 
treat to Maqueda ----- 262 
Battle of Bainos ----- 374 
Battle of Busaco - - - - - 285 

Lines of Lisbon - 296 
Retreat of Massena and the French Army from Portugal 305 
Engagement at Fuentes d'Honor - - - S25 

Battle of Albuera - 335 



ADVER- 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



Having published certain documents re- 
ferring to circumstances connected with the im- 
portant campaigns of that late distinguished 
corps the Loyal Lusitanian Legion, which were 
given merely as hints to satisfy the inquisitive 
partiality of my friends; and many persons, 
chiefly military men, who had expected to find 
a more perfect detail, having been disappointed 
in the perusal, — I am now induced, by their re- 
quest, and to gratify their wishes, to lay before 
the public a more enlarged account of a corps 
which is now no more, having, too unfortunately 
for its own existence, during the early stages of 
the war upon the Peninsula, created a jealousy 
in a quarter which, aided by power and intrigue, 
caused alterations the most prejudicial to its in- 
terests, and ultimately succeeded in effecting its 
dissolution, and even in extinguishing its name ; 
no less to the mortification and regret of the 
British officers who, under every inconvenience 

and 



V ADVERTISEMENT. 

and difficulty, had embarked in this cause, and 
who, under Lord Castlereagh, were the means of 
its origin, than to the Portugueze, who also had 
so zealously assisted in its formation. Nor was 
its extinction less painfully felt by the patriots 
of the Peninsula, who were well acquainted with 
its services, and to whom it will be a proud sa- 
tisfaction to reflect that its fame still lives, and 
that Spain, Portugal, and the enemy to whom it 
was opposed, will do equal justice to its reputa- 
tion. 

To the real advantage of its services I believe 
I may confidently appeal to those very respecta- 
ble authorities Sir John Cradock, then Com- 
mander-in-Chief, Mr. Frere, and Mr. Villiers, 
his Majesty's ministers in Spain and Portugal; 
and may venture to state that, besides the de- 
fence of Castille, Almeida, Ciudad Roderigo, 
and their valuable magazines, the safety of Se- 
ville, the seat of government (and power, al- 
most at an end from the successes of the enemy) 
was secured and protected by the operations and 
perseverance of this Legion alone, which great 
benefit has since been officially acknowledged 
by the government of Spain : 

That General Cuesta being thus permitted to 

assemble 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



V 



assemble the fugitives of Castanos's army at Ba- 
dajos, was enabled to save his country at that 
epoch by covering Andalusia, and fighting the 
battle of Medellen, which checked Marshal Vic- 
tor, and obliged ] 5,000 men to march from Sa- 
lamanca into Estremadura : 

That the non-embarkation of the British army 
at Lisbon, under General Sir John Cradock, is 
to be ascribed to the resolute conduct of this 
corps : 

That General Laplisse was thus opposed in 
his descent of the Douro and junction with 
Marshal Soult at Oporto, who was obliged to re- 
main there until Sir Arthur Wellesley's arrival 
with reinforcements in Portugal. 

These facts are all on record, and the enemy's 
statements and dispatches sufficiently confirm 
them, undeniably proving the value and impor- 
tance of the services of this corps, and the sup- 
port its perseverance afforded to the combined 
armies. The patriot Portugueze officers of this 
Legion equally shared with the British in the 
endurance of every hardship, and in every trial 
of danger and skill ; nor were the men less ex- 
emplary for a patience, an alacrity, a zeal, and a 

courage, 



vi 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



courage, well worthy of the highest admiration ; 
and these great qualities were thus honourably 
displayed both by officers and men at a moment 
when all was doubt and difficulty, despondency 
or despair; when every struggle seemed the last, 
and the enemy, unresisted or irresistible, ap- 
peared to spread conquest and destruction over 
all. 

The following detail of the services of this 
corps will, I trust, prove interesting ; and I must 
confess myself indebted to a young officer, one 
of the most meritorious FLOWERS^of the 
corps, for this well arranged Narrative, and for 
his permission to introduce into it some remarks 
and observations that I had an opportunity of 
making while I was Colonel-Commandant of 
the first battalion, and second in command in 
this service ; but I have confined this merely to 
a part of my own Journal^Jan Appendix, con- 
taining official letters and communications co- 
pied from originals in my possession, which ap- 
peared to me necessary to corroborate circum- 
stances, or to which reference may have been 
made in the Narrative. 



I cannot take leave of my subject without 



one 



A 




ADVERTISEMENT. 



vii 



one observation, which, extraordinary as it may 
appear, is nevertheless strictly true. I mention 
it with much pain, and in the hope that it may 
yet be remedied, that (with the exception of 
Sir Robert Wilson) none of the British offi- 
cers who organized this first Portugueze 
corps, have derived any advantage whatever 
from the British Government, while those who 
were attached to it, in the second instance, at 
a later period, and in securer times, under Sir 
William Beresford, have been advanced by re- 
peated steps of promotion : For instance, offi- 
cers who left this country as Captains, being 
now Lieutenant-Colonels in his Majesty's ser- 
vice, and Colonels and Brigadier-Generals in 
the Portugueze. 

An additional motive for aiding this slight 
memorial of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion, and 
this young officer's humble, but honest testi- 
mony to its value and services, is a disposition 
(I regret to say) that has ever been too appa- 
rent on the part of the officers now serving in 
the Peninsula to under-rate the utility and im- 
portance of this corps, which I am persuaded 
has arisen solely' from want of information, and 
, which 



viii ADVERTISEMENT. 

which I flatter myself this relation will effec- 
tually remove. 

WILLIAM MAYNE, 

Knight of the Military Order of Alcantara, 

Colonel in the Service of the Prince Regent 
of Portugal, 

And late Lieutenant-Colonel of the 1st Bat- 
talion of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion. 

Park-street, Grosvenor-square, Juried, 1812. 



A NAR- 



INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER 

FROM 

COLONEL MAYNE'S JOURNAL 
in 1808. 



ThE name of Portugal is of recent origin. In 
the Roman period there was a town called Calle, 
(now Oporto,) near the mouth of theDouro, and 
the haven being eminently distinguished, the 
barbarism of the middle ages conferred on the 
circumjacent region the name of Port Calle, 
which as the country was gradually recovered 
from the Moors, was yet more improperly ex- 
tended to the whole kingdom : the ancient name 
was Lusitania, but the boundaries do not ex- 
actly correspond* 

Portugal extends about 360 British miles in 
length, by 140 in breadth, and is supposed to 
contain 32,000 square miles, which, with a po- 
pulation of 1,838,879, will yield 67 inhabitants 

b to 



( 2 ) 



to the square mile. By another calculation it is 
computed that Portugal contains 2740 Portu- 
gueze leagues of 17 to a degree. Guthrie places 
Portugal between 37° and 42° north, and 7° and 
1° west. The extent and population thus ap- 
proach nearly to those of -Scotland ; but by some 
accounts the population of Portugal may exceed 
the calculation here followed by nearly half a 
million. 

The original population of Portugal may be 
traced in that of Spain, and has undergone the 
same revolutions. See the work of the learned 
Portugueze antiquary Resende, * Antiquitates 
Lusitaniae.' 

The progressive geography of Portugal is also 
included in that of Spain, till the 11th century, 
when it began to form a separate state. The 
kings of Castile had recovered a small part of 
the country from the Moors about the year 1050, 
and the conquest was gradually extended from 
the north till about the middle of the 13th cen- 
tury, when the acquisition of Algarva completed 
the present boundaries of Portugal. 

The historical epochs of so recent a date can- 
not be numerous, nor is it necessary to recur to 

those 



( 3 ) 



those ancient events which more regularly be- 
long to the History of Spain. 

J st. The kings of Asturias having subdued 
some of the Moorish chiefs of the north of Por- 
tugal, Alphonso the Great established episcopal 
sees in the part between the Entre Douro e Min- 
ho. In 1054 King Ferdinand of Castile extended 
his conquests to Coimbra ; and on sharing his 
dominions amongst his sons, Don Garcia, along 
with Gallicia, had a part of Portugal, whence he 
is styled on his tomb " Rex Portugalias et Gal- 
licia^." 

2d. Alphonso VI. brother to Garcia, and King 
of Castile, having favourably admitted several 
French princes to his court, among them was 
Henry, whom he nominated Count of Portugal, 
giving him his natural daughter Theresa in mar- 
riage. This Henry was the grandson of Ro- 
bert, Duke of Burgundy, son of Robert, King of 
France ; the Spanish, however, derive him from 
the House of Lorrain. 

Henry appears as Count of Portugal, and he 
obtained many victories over the Moors, and died 
in 1112, leaving a son, Alphonso the First. In 
the year 1139, Alphonso I. gained an illustrious 
b 2 victory 



( 4 ) 



victory over five Moorish princes, and was pro- 
claimed king on the field of battle. In 1 148, he 
seized Lisbon, by the assistance of a fleet of cru- 
saders going to the Holy Land. Alphonso died 
in 1 185, aged 94. Such are the foundations of 
the Portugueze monarchy. 

3d. Alphonso the Third, about the year 1254, 
completed the conquest of Algarva. Portugal 
continued to be fortunate in a succession of great 
princes ; but the wars against the Moors were 
unhappily followed by those against the King 
of Castile, which have implanted such a deep 
hatred between the nations. 

4th. Portugal was to attract the attention of 
Europe by her commercial discoveries. In 1415, 
John the Great, King of Portugal, carried his 
arms into Africa, captured Ceuta, and in 1420 
Madeira. In 1402 he took the Canaries, and 
assumed the title of king of those islands. The 
Portugueze discoveries proceeded under John's 
successors, Edward and Alphonso V. and the 
auspices of Prince Henry, till in the reign of 
John II. they extended to the Cape of Good 
Hope, and in that of Emanuel, Vasco de Gama 
opened a way to the West Indies. 



5th. 



( s ) 



5th. John the Third admitted the Inquisition 
in 1525, since which event the Portugueze mo- 
narchy has rapidly declined. 

6th. Sebastian, King of Portugal, landed a 
large army in Africa, and was slain in battle. He 
was succeeded by his uncle, called Henry, who 
dying two years afterwards, Portugal was seized 
by Philip the Second, King of Spain, in 1530. 

7th. By the Revolution of 1640, the House of 
Braganza was placed on the throne of Portugal. 
John the Fourth was a descendant of the an- 
cient royal family by the female line. Little of 
consequence has since arisen, except the earth- 
quake in Lisbon in 1755. The celebrated ad- 
ministration of Pombal, and the recent inter- 
marriages -with Spain, which did promise, at no 
remote period, to unite the kingdoms, deserve 
also to be noticed. The last peace with Spain 
seems to have been procured on humiliating 
terms. 

The antiquities chiefly consist in Roman mo- 
numents, with a few Moorish remains. AtEvo- 
ra are well preserved ruins of a temple of 
Diana, and an aqueduct ascribed to the celebrated 
Quintilius Sertorius (Life by Plutarch). At 

b 3 Chaves 



( 6 ) 



Chaves there is a Roman bridge, erected in 
the time of the Roman Emperor Trajan, which 
is still entire. 

Among the antiquities of the middle ages is 
the noble monastery of Batalha, in Portugueze 
Estremadura, sixty miles north of Lisbon, form- 
ed by John the First, at the close of the 14th 
century, in consequence of a great victory over 
the King of Castile (one of the most noble mo- 
numents of what is called the Gothic style of 
architecture.) 

The religion of Portugal is the Roman Ca- 
tholic, and a strict observance of its duties forms 
one of the national characteristics, the men 
vieing with the women in attention to their re- 
peated daily devotions. A patriarch, who does 
not seem to possess any great power, is at the 
head of the Portugueze church. 

Convents for males - 417 

Ditto for women - - - 150 

Secular clergy - - - - 22,000 

Monks 14,000 

Nuns ------- 10,000 

In Portugal there are 4000 parishes ! while in 

Scotland, » 



( 7 ) 



Scotland, of nearly the same extent, there are 
only 1000; but the Catholic religion affords 
supplies to a far greater number of priests than 
the Protestant. 

The constitution of Portugal is a monarchy 
absolute and hereditary ; yet in case of the king's 
decease without issue (male), he is succeeded by 
his next brother, whose sons have, however, no 
right to the throne until it has been confirmed 
by the states. The Prince of Brazil was ap- 
pointed regent by his mother, the heiress to the 
kingdom. Don Pedro, his father, was king, as 
husband to Maria, or, according to the Scottish 
expression, had the crown matrimonial, but was 
not regarded as sovereign. 

The administration is vested in four ministers 
of state, with their secretaries. One is president 
of the treasury, another minister of the interior; 
a third of war and foreign affairs, and the fourth 
of the increase of colonies. 

In 1796, a great council was established of 
thirteen members, including the four ministers : 
they assemble only on solemn occasions : the 
Chancellor is a subordinate officer, and does not 
administer justice. The Chancellor of the court 

b 4 called 



( 8 ) 



called Rellacaen, somewhat resembling the Par- 
liament at Paris, is called Regent of the Justices ; 
but the other high courts do not depend on him. 
There are five councils, which judge without ap- 
peal ; two for Europe, at Lisbon and Oporto ; 
two for Brazil, at Bahia and Rio Janeiro ; and 
one for Africa, at Goa. By an edict of 4th 
August, 1769, no laws have positive authority, 
except the ordinances of the king ; but the Ror 
man law maybe consulted as written justice 
or equity. 

The chief articles of the constitution are con- 
tained in the statutes of Lamago, founded by 
Alphonso the First, in 1165. The king's titles 
are numerous; that of the heir apparent is 
Prince of Brazil ; his eldest son that of Prince 
of Beira. The laws have few particularities; 
they are lenient in case of theft, which must be 
repeated four times before death be the punish- 
ment. 

An adulteress is condemned to the flames ; 
but this is never put in execution. * 

* In England, an adulteress is divorced or separated, and 
then legally permitted to live with her paramour or adulter- 
er !! ! So much for the interpretation of the Law of God in 
different countries. 

There 



( 9 ) 
There are seven councils—- 

1. Of the Palace, which is supreme in jus- 
tice, and has all the powers of a Lord Chan- 
cellor. 

2. The Inquisition, which was declared royal 
by Joseph; while before it was only papal. It 
has four inferior chambers, Lisbon, Evora, Co- 
imbra and Goa, 

3. Finances. 

4. Colonies. 

5. That of Honour, or the affairs of the 
knights. 

6. Of war. 

7. The Admiralty. 

There are five sovereign courts of justice, 
(Relacoen), at Lisbon, Oporto, Bahia, Rio Janei- 
ro, and Goa. 

Portugal is divided into six provinces :— - 

1. Entre Douro e Minho. — 2. Tras os Mon- 
tes. — 3. Beira. — 4. Estremadura. — 5. Alentejo. 
— 6. Algarva. 

The two first are in the north of the king- 
dom. 

The 



( io ) 



The two second in the middle, and the two last 
in the south. 

The first province derives its name from its 
situation between the two rivers, and is very 
populous and fertile. 

The second is mountainous, as the name im- 
plies ; but there are vales which contain vine- 
yards, and other cultivated lands. Beira is a 
large and fertile province, and is rivalled in soil 
by Estremadura, which like the Spanish pro- 
vince of the same name, is said to derive its ety- 
mology from having been an extensive frontier 
to the sea against the Moors. 

The Alentejo having been most exposed to the 
attacks of the Spaniards, is defective in popu- 
lation. 

Algarva is a very small division, which has, 
however, the honour of forming an addition to 
the royal titles, as Navarre to that of France, 
those lesser provinces having been compara- 
tively recent acquisitions.' The population of 
the whole is, according to 

Boeticher - - 1,838,879 
To Murphy - - 2,588,470 

As 



( 11 ) 



As this last is derived from Portugueze authors, 
having little skill in statistics, it seems to be ex- 
aggerated. 

The chief colony of Portugal is that es- 
tablished in Brazil; and she still retains many 
settlements in Africa, with Goa and Macao in 
the East Indies, the relics of great power and 
territory. 

The army is computed at only 24,000, and 
the militia at an equal number, forming a very 
respectable numerical force upon paper. 

The naval power, once so considerable, is now 
reduced to thirteen sail of the line, and fifteen 
frigates ; and as is the maritime system reduced, 
so is the formation of the army unequal to ac- 
tive campaigns. 

Since the year 1763 the soldiers have been 
well paid. At present there are twenty-eight 
regiments of infantry, twelve of cavalry, five 
of artillery, and one of light troops ; all strength- 
ened according to circumstances. 

There were 43 regiments of the regular militia. 
The military governments are seven, the six pro- 
vinces 



( 12 ) 



vinces and the government of Oporto composed 
of a part of Beira, and a part of Entre Douro e 
Minho. 

The revenue is calculated at 2 millions sterling, 
or at 70,000,000 French livres, and the national 
debt at 100,000,000. The gold of Brazil mostly 
passes to England in return for articles of in- 
dustry. 

Portugal retains small influence in the politi- 
cal scale of Europe ; her commerce is wholly 
dependent on England ; but by land she is ex- 
posed to no dangers except from Spain, or by its 
consent : the union of the two countries would 
doubtless be advantageous to both. 

The cities of Portugal are 23 

Villas or municipalities 350 
Villages very numerous. 

Parishes no less than 4262 

The inhabitants of the northern provinces are 
esteemed more industrious and sincere than 
those of the south, who are reckoned more 
polite and indolent. 

In general, the Portugueze are a fine race, 
with regular features embrowned by the sun, 

and 



and dark expressive eyes. The prejudices of 
nobility are as common in Portugal as in Spain* 
All ranks seem fond of retirement and silence, 
and little inclined to bustling scenes ; yet they 
are friendly to strangers, particularly to those of 
the Roman Catholic persuasion.* 

The women are of small stature, yet graceful. 
Like other southern nations the Portugueze 
esteem a plump roundness of the limbs ; nor is 
the black and brilliant eye without its share of 
modern admiration. Ladies of rank still work 
at the distaff, and the oriental custom of sitting 
at the doors on cushions is often practised. 
The dress resembles the Spanish ; but the men 
prefer the English, with the exception of the 
large loose cloak. The peasantry remain miser- 
able vassals of the ridalgos, or gentlemen. 

The peasants live on salt fish and vegetables. 
In their diet, the Portugueze are abstemi- 

* Hence probably the great influence which some Irish of- 
ficers possess at this moment in the allied armies. Would to 
God, instead of cavilling at home about modes of faith, and 
resisting Irish emancipation, the cabinet of Great Britain had 
availed itself of the zeal and promptitude of the Irish Roman 
Catholics at the commencement of the war in Spain. But we 
leemed doomed to dispute about a straw, while the beam is 
ready to fall upon our own heads ! 

OUS, 



( 14 ) 



ous, and the beauty of the climate induces 
them to live in the open air, the house being 
merely a convenience to sleep in. The games 
are billiards, cards and dice. The common 
people fence with a quarter staff; but their 
chief delight is in their bull fights. 

The arts and sciences are almost entirely 
neglected, except by a few of the clergy ; neither 
painting nor taste are to be found in Portugal. 

The language differs from that of Castile in a 
greater degree than might be expected from cir- 
cumstances. As the royal race was of French 
extraction, it is supposed many of their words are 
derived from the Limosin and other dialects of 
the south of France. It is grave and solemn, 
and would have been but little known to foreign- 
ers, but for the fame of the Lusiade. 

The commencement of literature may be tra- 
ced to Decriz, the sixth sovereign, who founded 
the University of Coimbra, and is said to have 
written Amadis de Gaul. In late times Saa de Mi- 
randa excelled in pastoral poetry. The chief 
historians are Joao de Barros, Fr. Luis de Souza, 
Fr. Bernado de Brido vicira, Osorio, Bishop of 
Sylves, Duarte Ribeiro de Macedo, the vene- 
rable 



( 15 ) 



Bart, de Quartel, and the Count de Ercheira, 
Camoens, Digo Bernardes, Antonio Barberza, 
Bacelar, and Gabriel Peirira. 

Dramatic writers are also mentioned. Anto- 
nio Josephus who has written four volumes of 
plays; Nicola Luis, who is called the Portugueze 
Plautus; and Pedro Nunez, who distinguished 
himself in the sixteenth century. 

Of late years natural history is begun to be 
studied; but Portugal is the last of nations in that 
branch. Marquis de Pombal endeavoured to in- 
troduce the sciences — since his time they have 
dwindled, though they nevermade much progress. 

The Royal Academy of Lisbon exists no 
more, and the University of Evora remains 
suppressed since \759> 

Education is much neglected in Portugal 
There are 800 students in the University of Co- 
imbra. 

Lisbon, the capital, was called by the an- 
cients Ulyssippo, fabulously ascribed to Ulysses. 
The situation is grand. On the north side it has 
the Tajo, sheltered on the N. W. by a ridge of 
hills. This capital was retaken from the Moors 

in 



( 16 ) 



in the 121tb century. The population amounts 
to 200,000. The earthquake in 1755, (a dread- 
ful and memorable epoch among the inhabitants,) 
has contributed to the beauty of the new city> 
the new streets being broad and handsome, and 
well paved. For constant residence the ladies 
prefer the attic floors, and ventilation and cool- 
ness are only consulted, grates being almost un- 
known, while in winter a warm cloak supplies the 
place of a fire. 

The Patriarchal church is magnificent ; and 
has a revenue of 100,000/. The English have an 
open burial ground, in which are deposited the 
remains of Fielding. The royal monastery of 
Belem, founded by King Emanuel in 1499, is five 
miles S. W. of Lisbon, and to the north is a 
noble modern aqueduct completed in 1732. 
Consumption of butchers' meat in Lisbon in 
1798 was 27,985 oxen, 1,272 calves, 27,562 
sheep, and 11,927 hogs. 

The northern branch of the Tajo at Lisbon 
is alone practicable for large vessels. 

Oporto is the most considerable town, especi- 
ally in the eye of strangers; it is seated on the 
north side of the Douro, five miles from the sea, 

upon 



( 17 ) 



upon the declivity of a hill ; the houses rising 
like an amphitheatre. The streets are narrow, 
the houses ill-constructed, and the population 
amounts to 30,000. The churches are of little 
note. The British factory is a large neat build- 
ing. The chief exports are wine, oranges, le- 
mons, and linen cloth to the American colo- 
nies. 

Setuval, or St. Ubes, is a considerable town, 
with about 12,000 inhabitants, and a prosperous 
commerce. The principal trade of this place 
consists in salt, of which commodity vast quan- 
tities are shipped to all countries. 

Braga, though inland, is another considerable 
town. 

In the province of Beira is the venerable 
city of Coimbra, with its ancient university. 

Alentejo contains the city of Evora, rather 
of ancient fame than of modern consequence. 

Tavora is the principal town of Algarve, the 
number of its inhabitants does not exceed 5000. 



The chief edifices of Lisbon are the cathedral 
c and 



( 18 ) 



and the monasteries. The nobility, as in Spain, 
crowd to the capital, and the country is little 
decorated with villas. In the mountains of 
Cintra, the farthest western extremity of Eu- 
rope, about twenty miles west of Lisbon, is 
placed a remarkable monastery, 3000 feet above 
the sea, and a curious bath, with a never-failing 
spring. On the east of the mountain is a 
summer place of Moresque architecture. The 
environs of Lisbon are rich and delightful, sup- 
plying most of the fruits and vegetables used in 
Lisbon ; a small vineyard here called Calcavella, 
produces the Calcavella wine, near which is the 
aqueduct of Alcantara. 

Here are no canals, nor any necessity for them. 
The sea coast from W. to S. Rivers running 
from W. to E. 

The manufactures are few: lately cloths, hats, 
and paper at Lisbon ; but the chief manufacto- 
ries are those of woollen cloth at Covilhao, Por- 
talegre, and Azeitaou. The greatest intercourse 
is with England; balance in favour of the latter 
400,000/. and Ireland gains by her exports 
63,000/. sterling annually. The Falmouth pac- 
kets bring remittances frequently of bullion, 
coin, diamonds, and other precious stones. 

Besides 



( 19 ) 



Besides woollens and hardware, England ex- 
ports to Portugal large cargoes of salt and dried 
fish, the last to the amount of 200,000/. 

The exports of Portugal are chiefly wine, oil, 
oranges, lemons, figs, sugar, cotton, bark, 
drugs, and tobacco. She maintains a consider- 
able trade with her colony the Brazils, the in- 
habitants of which are computed at 900,000. 

The articles exported to America are chiefly 
woollens, linens, stuffs, gold and silver lace, 
fish dried in Portugal, hams, &c. with glass of 
a good quality manufactured at Marinha. 

Brazil returns gold, silver, precious stones of 
various descriptions, rice, wheat, maize, sugar, 
molasses, ornamental timber, and many other 
articles rather curious than important. The 
drugs, spices, and articles used in dying must 
not be omitted. 

The trade with the East Indies is inconsider- 
able, and that with the other European nations 
scarcely deserves notice : it is chiefly with Hol- 
land, Denmark, France, and Germany ; some 
trade is also carried on with the American States. 

c 2 For 



( 20 ) 



For internal trade, the great fair of Viseu has 
long been famous. 

The grain was formerly supplied from Eng- 
land, from North America, when in her pos* 
session, Barbary, and Prussian Poland. Much 
rice is consumed, being imported from Carolina. 

The coin we call a Johannes or Joe, is in the 
Portugueze tongue pega. 

The English moidore is themonduro, ormon- 
dea de ouro, (i. e. gold coin.) 

Brazil supplies 27,000,000 francs annually in 
gold, or little more than a million sterling : 
since 1780 more than 100 million (francs) of 
merchandize. As it is well known that a great 
part of the Portugueze gold comes from Sofala, 
it must not be included under that of Brazil, 
if it be not remitted to India and China to 
purchase merchandize in these countries. 

The colonies are Brazil, Mozambic, Melinda, 
Sofala, Cuama, Angola, Benguella, with the 
isles St. Thome del Principe, Cape Verd, Ma- 
deira, Azores. In India, Goa, Dieu, and Macao 
in <uhina. 

The 



( ar ) 



The climate at Lisbon is most excellent and 
salutary ; the fair weather is computed at 200 
days in the year, and those of settled rain do 
not exceed eighty; the medical heat about sixty 
degrees. 

The face of the country is generally fertile, 
notwithstanding its acclivities. In the north 
corner there rises a cluster of mountains, seem- 
ingly connected with the great Spanish chain. 
The soil, like that of Spain, is generally light, 
but the agriculture is in a neglected state. Mea- 
dowing is little known, except in the N. W. 
province of Entre Douro e Minho, and many fine 
vales remain in a state of nature. The rain is 
violent while it lasts, and produces torrents, 
which sometimes destroy the crops* 

The river Tajo here has a noble stream, and 
affords a capacious haven from two to nine 
miles broad. 

Among the native streams is the Mondego, 
which passes by Coimbra. 

The Soro runs into the Tajo and the Cadaon, 
which form the harbour of Setuval. 



Scarcely 



( 22 ) 

There are only three lakes to be seen in 
Portugal : viz. the Escura situated on the 
summit of the mountain of Estrella in Beira, 
and which is covered with snow during four 
or five months, — it is noted for a profound 
vortex. Another deep pool occurs near the 
village of Sapellos, which is said to have been 
the shaft of a gold mine worked by the Ro- 
mans. The lake of Obidos in Estremadura is 
sometimes open to the sea, and at other times 
closed with sand. It contains excellent 
fish. 

The mountains in the N. E. seem an un- 
connected cluster. Nor have the mountains in 
the kingdom been exactly described ; but the 
Spanish chain to the north of Madrid, called 
by some the mountains of Idubeda, enters 
Portugal near the town of Guarda, and pur- 
sues its former course to the S. W. 

The chain of Arrabeda in Estremadura, seems 
a branch or continuation of this. It is chiefly 
calcareous, and affords beautiful marble. 

The chain of Toledo appears (as is not unusual 
with extensive ranges) to subside abruptly be- 
fore it enters Portugal ; but not far from this, 

in 



( 25 ) 



in the province of Alentejo, there is a small 
chain seven leagues long, by two and a half 
broad, running between the city of Evora 
and the town of Estremos, which may be 
regarded as belonging to this Toledo chain. 

The Estrella gives rise to the Mondego and 
two other rivers, and belongs to the first 
mentioned chain of the mountains of Idubeda. 

Monto Junto, the ancient Sageus, is in Es- 
tremadura; its verdure affords a rich pasturage, 
and the breed of horses was formerly celebra- 
ted here. These mountains are well described 
in Link's work. He visited the northern 
chain of Geriz, that of Maram, and that of 
Estrella. They are 6000 feet high (the summits) 
while some of the Spanish may be 8000. They 
are all of the granate, and appear gigantic to us 
islanders. 

The zoology of Portugal may be regarded as 
the same with that of Spain, as well as the 
botany. The horses are however inferior ; but 
the mules are stronger and more hardy. The 
oxen sometimes equal in size those of Lin- 
colnshire ; cows are rare, as the natural pas- 
ture is injured by the heat of the climate, 

c 4 and 



( 24 ) 

and no attention is paid to artificial meadows. 
The sheep are neglected, and far from nume- 
rous ; but swine abound, fed with acorns, and 
Portugal hams are much esteemed. 

Mineralogy has been as much neglected as 
the agriculture. In the two northern provinces 
are seen immense mines, supposed to have been 
worked by the Romans, being those of Lusi- 
tania mentioned by ancient authors. The 
mouth of the largest, cut through the solid 
rock, is one mile and a half in circumference, 
and upwards of 500 feet deep ; at the bottom it 
measures 2,400 feet, by 1,400; many subter- 
ranean passages pierce the mountain, and the 
whole works are on the grandest scale. Other 
ancient mines are found in those provinces : 
one near the mouth of the Tajo ; and under the 
Spaniards a silver mine was worked near Bra- 
ganza in 1628, which proved very productive. 

Tin was found in the northern provinces, and 
near Miranda formerly pewter. 

There are lead mines at Murza, Lamego, and 
Cago, and the Galina ore is very productive 
of silver. 



Copper 



( 25 ) 



Copper is found near Elvas, and in other 
districts. 

Iron mines are neglected (though coal is 
found in different parts of the kingdom) from 
a deficiency of fuel. The coal mines of Buarcos 
supply the royal foundery at Lisbon. This bed 
of coal is three feet six inches broad, and en- 
larges according to the depth. 

Emery is found near the Douro, and many 
beautiful marbles abound in this kingdom. The 
mountain of Goes, and others, produce fine 
granate, and talc is met with near Oporto. 

Amiante is discovered in such quantities, that 
it has been recommended to the artillery in the 
form of incombustible paper. 

The bismuth of Estrella, pounded and mingled 
with white clay, has been found to compose ex- 
cellent porcelain. Fullers' earth occurs near 
Guimeraens. Portugal also boasts of antimony, 
magnesia, and arsenic ; and near Castello Bran- 
co, are mines of quicksilver. Rubies in Algarve, 
jacinths in the ruins of Cayado and Belas ; beryl, 
or aqua marine, in the mountain of Estrella. In/: 
short, Portugal abounds with minerals of most 

de- 

m <A - <\.r :• ■ * 



( 26 ) 



descriptions, and nothing is wanting but indus- 
try and fuel. 

Of the mineral waters, the baths of Caldas de 
Rainha, in Estremadura, are the most celebra- 
ted, and the next are those of Chaldes. There 
are salt and petrifying springs, and others that 
have only a supposed property given by the su- 
perstition of the Portugueze. 

Among the natural curiosities is a high, massy 
cliff, on the north bank of the river Douro, with 
carved letters or hieroglyphics, stained with 
vermilion and blue, beneath which is a grotto, 
supposed to abound with bitumen. Ever-green 
groves are cultivated on the banks of this river, 
which are not very common on other rivers in 
Spain and Portugal. 

The chain of mountains in which the battle 
of Busaco was fought, is called Arrabeda, and 
terminates at Mafra. It seems to be a continu- 
ation of the Spanish chain which rises north of 
Madrid, and enters Portugal near the town of 
G uarda. 

Lisbon is situated on the north bank of the 
Tagus, 18 miles from the rock, on the north 

extremity 



extremity of the harbour, as is Cape Espinhel on 
the south : it extends four miles in length by 
two in width. 

The entrance of the harbour is defended by 
nature, by a large bank of sand, which is prin- 
cipally divided into two banks called north and 
south Catchops. Over this sand-bank there are 
only two channels navigable for ships of any 
burden, called north and south channels ; the 
former in the direction from the rock S. E. by E. 
and nearly parallel with the coast, which is low, 
and offers points at which troops may conve- 
niently land under cover of ships of war. 

The other channel, which is directly between 
the two Catchops, runs N. E. by N. and both 
channels, forming the two sides of a A, meet 
at a point within a mile of Fort St. Julien. Ships 
running up either of those channels are there- 
fore exposed to be raked by the guns of this fort, 
which probably exceed 200 ordnance. It stands 
upon a little promontory, is built of stone, 
and its batteries are about forty feet above the 
level of the sea. It is not overlooked by any 
land that is near it, though it is less formida- 
ble on the land side than towards the river. 

Nearly opposite to Fort St. Julien, on an in- 
sulated 



( 28 ) 



sulated rock, which forms the eastern point of 
the S. Catchop, is a little fort called the Bugio ; 
it is of no great strength, and from its circular 
form (being in fact little more than a town, 
surrounded by a rampart) could bring few guns 
to bear on any one point, and might soon be 
silenced by our shipping. 

Beyond St Julien, which is ten miles within the 
rock, the river narrows ; but this is compen- 
sated by a bold shore and deep water ; and ten 
miles above this fort, at the village of Almada, 
the river abruptly spreads into a wide bay. 

About seven miles from St. Julien, on another 
little point on the same side of the river, is Be- 
lem Castle ; but as the passage is here com- 
manded from both sides, it has, without doubt, 
received additional batteries. At the back of 
Belem are some high grounds which overlook 
it. About two miles from Belem Castle,, we 
came to the western end of the city, where many 
ships are anchored. Farther on, and within the 
city, towards its eastern end, stands Fort St. 
George, on an elevated spot which commands 
the city. This fort is not capable of containing 
more than 5000 men : it is supplied with water 
by an aqueduct which might be easily cut off. 

A NAR- 



A. 



NARRATIVE, 



PORTUGAL* having been entered in 1B07, 
by a French army, fell an easy prey to its 
lawless invaders, in consequence of the disor- 
ganized state of its armies, and the sudden and 
unexpected attack upon its territories. His 
Royal Highness the Prince Regent had the good 
fortune to effect his escape to the British fleet 
then lying off the mouth of the Tagus, an at- 
tempt having been made by the enemy to sur- 

* The Spanish governor of Badajoz inquired of the Marquis 
vJi'Alorno, commanding at Elvas, if the -French army then 
marching into Portugal would be received as friends or ene- 
mies. 

1 We are unable/ answered the Marquis, ' to entertain you 
as friends, or to resist you as enemies.' 

prize 



( 30 ) 

prize him in Lisbon, and seize on his person. 
The entrance of the French troops into Portu- 
gal was not known at Lisbon till their advanced 
guard arrived at Abrantes, for it was never con- 
ceived that they would not pursue the course of 
the Tagus ; to traverse with an army the moun- 
tains of Biera in winter, was deemed impossible. 
His Royal Highness afterwards proceeded with 
a good many of the nobility (who likewise es- 
caped) to the Brazils, part of his Royal High- 
ness's dominions; and scarcely had the Portu- 
gueze fleet left the Tagus, when the French, 
with their Spanish auxiliaries, appeared on the 
hills above Lisbon, under the command of Ge- 
neral Junot, who had formed v resided for seve- 
ral years as ambassador at the court of Portugal. 
The subsequent monopolization by the enemy 
of the property of those Portugueze who re- 
mained, together with the heavy contributions 
and oppressive taxes levied on them, induced 
many to emigrate to England. Amongst those 
loyalists who preferred a temporary banishment 
from their native land to an abject submission 
to the French yoke, were many officers whohad 
escaped from the hands of the enemy wfiA-iftf 
endeavourtfijto remove to France the best orga- 
nized troops of the Portugueze army. These 
steadfast patriots remained in England under 

protection 



( 31 ) 

protection of the British government, until that 
government had resolved, in 1808, on sending 
an army from Great Britain to that country 
(which had been its ancient and* faithful ally for 
a considerable number of years), for its redemp- 
tion from the rapacious grasp of the Corsican 
tyrant. 

The British had likewise determined on lend- 
ing their assistance at this period towards the 
organization of the native Portugueze, aided by 
experienced and select British officers ; and for 
the purpose of ascertaining how far that pro- 
ject might be successful, they had resolved 
on forming a legion of those loyal Luzitanian 
emigrants then in England, the shell of which 
was shortly- completed, under the auspices of 
Viscount Castlereagh, his Excellency the Che- 
valier de Souza, the Portugueze ambassador in 
England, and the venerable Bishop of Oporto, 
now patriarch of Portugal.* Those grfla St pa- 
triots thus formed into a legion, eagerly em- 
braced the opportunity thus afforded them of 
returning to their native shores to seek redress 
for the cruel grievances, and unremitted insults 
offered to themselves, their families, and their 



* Vide Appendix A. 

country, 



( 32 ) 

country, by a lawless band of mercenary in- 
vaders. They accordingly set sail in August, for 
Portugal, accompanied by a few select British 
officers, iJrrnriiilHiin under the command of Sir 
Robert Wilson, who was appointed chief of 
that corps, which was justly nominated the 
Loyal Luzitanian Legion, the subsequent ope- 
rations of which, together with its jtmOTSSE ser- 
vices, it is the object of the present work tq 
endeavour to elucidate. 



In the month of September, 1808, th$g_ 
J mrrPiw^' n-e-iFgh-eady landed at Oporto, * where 
it was co £ c ^££d most advisable to recruit and 
complete SE'for active service. In this cityyifc^ 
wGrf^received with all possible demonstrations of 
joy by the inhabitants,* >rigpS|a atO trr 1 ' ■< , -*~m'1t\ 
uniting with the gallantry of the bordering pea- 
santry, had risen and overpowered the first French 
garrison, which occupied it in the month of June, 
and subsequently aided by the natural defences 
the country afforded north of the river Douro, 
had attacked and routed a corps of the ene- 
my, under General Loison, who^had^at^nipted 

to march on Oporto. On J&ayendeavouring to 

/\ 

* Oporto is open and unfortified, except two modern fort* 
next the sea, situated on the Douro, which frequently inun- 
dates the quays and lower parts of the city. 

cross 



( 33 ) 



cross the river Douro for that purpose, he was 
defeated by the gallant and hardy peasantry of 
the northern provinces who had united at 
Mezon Frio; and the subsequent success was 
such that the enemy were so completely routed 
as to lose the entire of their baggage, which 
fell into the hands of those meritorious pea- 
sants; in consequence of which the French 
judged it expedient not to interfere any far- 
ther with the north of Portugal, but to con- 
fine their ravages to the southern unprotected 
provinces; from those hardy peasantry the 
Loyal Lusitanian Legion had been princi- 
pally recruited, whose enterprizing spirit gave 
us 4." " hopes of success which were afterwards 
se^kBWHsJy confirmed by the jjj EBgjaa 'JlBt 
services of the corps. 

It was to be regretted that the Lusitanian 
youths, who crowded from all directions to the 
standards of this Legion, exceeded by far the 
means of their immediate clothing and equip- 
ment; but the zeal and exertions of the British, 
together with the concurrence and assistance 
of the Portugueze officers, and the willingness 
and obedience of the soldiers, in a short time 
enabled the British officers to effect the com- 
plete organization of three battalions of light 
p infantry, 



( 34 ) 



infantry, some cavalry, and a brigade of artil- 
lery, with four six-pounders and two howitzers ; 
the entire consisting of about two thousand ef- 
fective men, well disciplined, clothed and ap- 
pointed; the uniform of the infantry was green, 
that of the cavalry green with white facings, 
and the artillery the same with black facings. 

The urgent necessity which appeared to Sir 
Robert of immediately taking the field with this 
small division, for the purpose of co-operating 
in the defence of Portugal, (active operations 
being about to commence,) prevented him from 
waiting for an additional supply of clothing 
and appointments for the remainder of the Legion 
then at Oporto, the complete establishment of 
which would otherwise have taken place at this 
time. 

The 1st division of the Lusitanian Legion 
marched from Oporto on the 14th of December, 
1808, in the direction of the eastern frontier, 
leaving the 2d division of the Legion in that city, 
under Baron Eben, until the clothing and ap- ' 
pointments should arrive from England for their 
equipment, and giving the Baron positive orders, 
when that should be accomplished, immediately 
to proceed to unite that division with the 1st 

for 



( 35 ) 



for its support, as a corps of reserve ; however, 
these orders, and necessary instructions, most 
extraordinary to relate, were not complied with, 
and the consequences resulting therefrom were 
the cause of no small derangement of the plans 
and operations which Sir Robert Wilson intend- 
ed pursuing. 

It may not be considered amiss here to give 
a short sketch of the affairs at this period in the 
Peninsula. 

The British force, which had disembarked in 
August under Sir Arthur Wellesley,* engaged 
and defeated the French army under General 
Junot, with considerable loss, at Roleia and Vi- 
meira, and was in pursuit of the enqjny who had 
fled towards Lisbon, when Sir Harry Burrard, 
his senior officer, landed and joined the army, 
and suspended the pursuit of the vanquished 
enemy ; afterwards Sir Hugh Dalrymple ar- 
rived, and another British force of ten thousand 
men under Sir John Moore, with a brigade of 
hussars under Lord Paget ; therefore the situa- 
tion of the conquered enemy, shut up in the 
vicinity of Lisbon, with the sea and Tagus on 



* Vide Appendix, B. 
D 2 



one 



( -36 ) 



one side, and a British army, nearly double the 
number of that which had before routed them, 
and had four times the number of cavalry, on 
th° other side, may be easily conceived. How- 
ever, what the bravery and discipline of the 
French officers and soldiers were inadequate to 
effect against British troops of inferior numbers 
in the field, their General acquired in the cabi- 
net ; as most unaccountable to relate, a conven- 
tion 1 * was made at Cintra, signed by the British 
generals, with Sir Hugh Dalrymple at their 
head, acquiescing in the proposed terms of the 
vanquished and forlorn enemy, that they should 
be embarked on board British vessels, and con- 
veyed home with their arms and ammunition, ar- 
tillery, horses, and baggage, &c. &c. ; the greater 
part of thp latter being the plunder, church 
plate, &c. taken from the Portugueze inhabitants 
and converted into money. Thus, instead of 
the discretional surrender of the enemy, so natu- 
rally to be expected, they were sent to France, 
from whence they marched direct into Spain, to 
unite with their armies there, and again oppose 
the British force; their embarkation was a me- 
lancholy scene to the unfortunate inhabitants, 

* Vide Appendix, C. 

and 



( 37 ) 



and fired with indignation the victorious heroes 
of Roleia and Vimeira. 

This British army afterwards marched under 
Sir John Moore, to co-operate with the Spanish 
armies opposed to the enemy in the north of 
Spain, w T here it formed a junction with another 
British force under Sir David Baird, who had 
disembarked at Corunna; the unfortunate result 
of which, in consequence of the hopes entertain- 
ed of the effective strength and co-operation of 
the Spaniards, is unnecessary to mention. The 
Loyal Lusitanian Legion proved at this time 
their- steadiness and discipline, so justly record- 
ed, but previous to their march from Oporto, it 
is necessary to state that on the French troops, 
which garrisoned the fortress of Alfteida, being- 
convoyed by a detachment of the 6th British 
regiment of foot to that town for embarkation, 
in conformity to the convention of Cintra, the 
inhabitants of that city, together with the neigh- 
bouring peasantry, rose and crowded to the 
harbour to prevent the embarkation of their 
property which was thus in possession of the 
French; and they were so enraged against those 
plunderers that they would have put them all to 
death had they been permitted. However just 
their indignation might be considered on this 
D 3 occasion > 



( 38 ) 

occasion, Sir Robert Wilson, who commanded 
at Oporto, naturally conceived it to be his duty 
to comply with the convention of Cintra and 
insist on the embarkation of the enemy, &c. ac- 
cording to the terms therein specified. It was here 
the subordination and soldier-like conduct of the 
Loyal Lusitanian Legion was first evinced, by 
supporting the British detachment in obedience 
to orders against the armed mob, which amount- 
ed to some thousands, and who had even brought 
cannon to the beach for the purpose of effecting 
their object; the predicament in which these 
young troops were placedwas most critical, op- 
posing so many thousands of the Hggriagfaj fc ga g g l 
populace, and supporting the French against 
their countrymen, but the embarkation was at 
length effected with a good deal of difficulty, 
without any very serious consequences, but that 
of the baggage did not succeed so well. 

Much credit is due to Sir Robert Wilson and 
his officers for their exertions on this occasion ; 
they were supported by a corps of Spaniards, 
under the command of the Marquis of Valla- 
daris, who happened to arrive at Oporto about 
this period, and assisted equally in quelling these 
disturbances and restoring tranquillity to the 
inhabitants. 

Sir 



( 39 ) 



Sir Robert Wilson and the British officers* 
attached to the Legion marched with the 1st 
division from Oporto on the 14th December, 
1808, (with the exception of Baron Eben, left at 
Oporto with the 2d division, who was to follow 
as soon as possible,) taking the direction of Al- 
meida and Ciudad Rodrigo, through which 
places the British army, under Sir John Moore, 
had passed a short time before. The line of 
march was through Penifiel and Amaranths, 
along the right bank of the river Douro, 
through Mezon Frio to Passa de Regoa, where 
we crossed the Douro and proceeded to Lama- 
go ;| the reception we met with from the Por- 
tugueze during our march was truly hospitable, 
having brought us in the kindest manner to 
their houses ; and the gratitude and attention 
evinced particularly to the British officers for 
the interest they seemed to take in their cause, 

* These British officers were Colonels Mayne, Baron Eben, 
Baron Perponger, Lieut.-Colonel Grant, Captain Charles, Aide 
de Camp to Sir Robert, Captain Lillie, who had been with the 
British army under Sir Arthur Wellesley, and volunteered to 
remain with the Legion, and Captains Ruman and Western, 
Drs. Millengen and Bolman. 

f Lamago is an episcopal city and stands on the Douro, 
surrounded by mountains : it was anciently peopled by La- 
conians, and restored by Trajan, who gave it the name of 
Urbs Lamacoenorum. 

n 4 was 



( 40 ) 



was to them particularly flattering. The wea- 
ther had hitherto been very fine ; however, on 
our march from Lamago, the rain poured on us 
in torrents, continuing for several days without 
intermission ; but, as it was conceived the affairs 
at that period would not permit us to delay our 
inarch, we were obliged to proceed, notwith- 
standing the floods. The roads we passed, were 
deemed nearly impracticable; and to many who 
may be unacquainted Math the state of them 
in this country at certain periods of the year, it 
may appear extraordinary to state that we were 
actually obliged to swim our horses ; and it was 
with the greatest exertion and difficulty we were 
enabled to bring forward our artillery, being 
obliged to take the beasts from the guns, and 
officers and men, hand in hand, pulled them 
through the waters, which in many places 
reached up to their shoulders ; and as an ex- 
ample to junior ranks we remarked our leaders 
among the number. We at length arrived with 
considerable difficulty and inconvenience at 
Pinhel,* a bishop's see, three leagues west of 
Almeida, and four of the Spanish frontier; here 
the corps halted for a few days to make the ne- 
cessary arrangements for the commencement of 

* The Corregidoria of Pinhel forms fifty-five towns : the 
city is nothing remarkable, and is fortified in the old way. 

active 



( 41 ) 

active operations, as well as to descansar after 
their severe and fatiguing march from Oporto, 
which they bore with great patience and forti- 
tude, and only seemed anxious to come in con- 
tact with the enemies of their country, mani- 
festiuo'^juch confidence in their officers, aiv2 
gtvlTW^^g^^rea^n^^anticipate the subse- 
quent lmxny they displayed when opportunities 
offered. However, an unfavourable change 
took place at this period in the cause of the Pe- 
ninsula, which cast a universal damp on the 
Spaniards and Portugueze, by the retrograde 
movement of t he-main British force under Sir 
John Moore,* on^which tne patriots of the Pe- 
ninsula had cast their eyes as the means of their 
salvation from the French yoke. 

This British army having been pursued by a 
far superior force of the enemy, the British Ge- 
neral deemed it unadvisable to risk a battle, and 
turned his mind to the security and the re-em- 
barkation of his troops, being unsupported by 
any allied corps ; in consequence of which the 
few British troops and stores that had been then 
on their way to join the British army were im- 
mediately countermanded ; some to Oporto and 

* Vide Appendix, D. 

others 



( 42 ) 



others to Lisbon, for which places they proceed- 
ed with all possible dispatch ; the general idea 
then entertained, from the immense forces of 
the enemy, together with the movement of the 
British troops towards the coasts, was, that too 
,sanguine a hope had been entertained of the 
state of the Spanish armies, and that no*zealous 
co-operation could be expected from their Ge- 
nerals ; and that the British army, unaided and 
unsupported, had resolved on evacuating the 
country. 

Under such circumstances the situation of 
the Loyal Lusitanian Legion may be easier con- 
ceived than expressed ; orders had been received 
from British general officers for our retreat, and 
intimation had been received likewise by Sir 
Robert Wilson from Lieutenant General Sir 
John Cradock, commander of the forces in 
Portugal, of its having been his wish that the 
British officers of the Legion should withdraw 
and provide for their own personal safety : we 
therefore were rather awkwardly circumstanced, 
having entered the Portugueze service and em- 
barked in their cause, and finding the country 
on the eve of evacuation by the British, and in- 
vaded by the French. And if the British army 
had embarked at Lisbon, in all probability the 

retreat 



( 43 ) 



retreat of the corps would have been cut off by 
Marshal Soult, (for Marshal Soult, on the 28th 
of February, with 16,000 men, did capture 
Oporto, and another French corps then at Pla- 
centia were expected to move down the Tagus.) 
Sir Robert Wilson communicated their situa- 
tions to the British officers with him, leaving it 
at their option either to go or stay. But they 
considered that as they then conceived them- 
selves really to be in the service of Portugal, 
that it would be highly disgraceful at this criti- 
cal juncture, and inconsistent with the character 
of ^British soldier/ and with the principles by 
which their conduct had hitherto been guided, 
to leave this service ; they all consequently de- 
termined on not abandoning theirirsBE-brethren 
in arms, but to remain and share the fate of 
the Portugueze officers and -men whose confi- 
dence they had gained, and whom they 'had 
brought to the frontiers for the purpose of de- 
fending their country, well armed and perfectly 
equipped for active and immediate service. 

On the evacuation of the garrison of Almeida* 

by 

* Almeida is a strong fortification ; six royal bastions of 
stone, and as many ravelins ; a good ditch and a covered way. 
On a lofty mound, in the centre of the town, is a citadel re- 
markable 



( 44 ) 



by the British troops, under Brigadier General 
Cameron, consisting of the 45th and '97th regi- 
ments, retiring to Lisbon, Colonel Mayne was 
by that officer appointed his successor,* to se- 
cure the removal of the valuable British stores 
deposited in this fortress, for the expected cam- 
paigns of Sir John Moore's army. The garrison 
consisted of the Portugueze troops of the line 
already there, and a detachment of the Loyal 
Lusitanian Legion. Sir Robert immediately 
marched into Spaia, moving in the direction of 
Ciudad Rodrigo ;f his advance, consisting of 
two companies of infantry, a squadron of cavalry, 
and two guns, commanded by Captain Lillie. 
Sir Robert having pushed across the Spanish 
frontier, resolved on placing his corps in front of 
the garrisons of Almeida and Ciudad Rodrigo, 
in the direction of Salamanca,^ where he occu- 
pied 

markable for strength, with magazines bomb proof; within the 
walls are wells of water, an<2 near it is a fine spring. 
* Vide Appendix, E. 

f Ciudad Rodrigo stands on a stone rock on the banks of 
the Agueda; a large square tower with battlements and loop 
holes overlooks the bridge, and you enter the fortress with an 
idea it is a strong place, but it is an irregular fortification, and 
far otherwise. The streets in the town are very bad and nar- 
row, and there is nothing remarkable but a cathedral which is 
of tolerable beauty, 
ft^mg/^fotfr'^'ty; famous among the Romans, and familiar to the 

readers 



( 45 ) 



pied a very extensive line of country with the 
Loyal Lusitanian Legion, which was reinforced 
afterwards by some Spanish troops and Portu- 
gueze cavalry, (the line of country thus occu- 
pied, extending from Almeida on the left flank 
to the almost inaccessible Sierra de Francis 
which protected the right flank, with Ciudad 
Rodrigo in the rear, garrisoned by six thousand 
Spaniards,) and exactly in the way of a French 
corps, moving at that period towards the south, 
to join Marshal Victor, whose advance this 
movement had the desired effect of checking; 
for the French, not being aware of the number 
or description of the troops they had to contend 
w 7 ith, very quietly and very fortunately for us 
desisted from any attempt to move forward. 
The cause of this event may appear more pro- 
readers of Gil Bias, is chiefly placed on three sand-stone hills 
in an inlet^of the Tonnes, a few leagues before it falls into the, 
Douro. The vicinity of Salamanca, by the river, is divided 
into corn fields, and in the neighbourhood are the estates of 
the Duke of Alva. There is here a handsome Roman bridge 
over the Tormes, in the centre of which is a square tower, and 
a gateway which formerly contained a portcullis ; this object 
and the towers and domes of the buildings of the city form an 
imposing spectacle. The city is entered from the bridge by a 
triumphal arch of the Romans, from which the principal street 
descends. The university of Salamanca long attracted stu- 
dents from every part of Europe ; but is now no longer cele- 
brated. 

bable 



( 46- ) 



bable when it is understood that every pre- 
caution had been taken to conceal our real 
strength from the enemy ; and our allies like- 
wise conceived our force to be considerably 
greater than it really was. This able disposi- 
tion, made by the leaders of the allied troops, 
had the good effect of inspiring the patriots in 
the neighbourhood with fresh confidence; and it 
tended most considerably to dissipate that gloom 
which had spread over the country in conse- 
quence of the late unfortunate change in the 
campaign; at the same time it afforded the 
Spaniards an opportunity and time to add to the 
defensive state of the neighbouring garrisons, 
by altering and strengthening many points which 
contributed a good deal to the subsequent re^ 
sistance made by them when invested. 

In proportion as thl^^§^ixlxhi^ "movement^ 
revived the spirits of our allies, so did^^ikewise 
strike a panic into our advancing enemy, who, 
we afterwards understood, expected to meet 
with no opposition until they got to Lisbon, 
where they heard the British had retired to, and 
were preparing for embarkation, having dis- 
mantled the batteries and destroyed the works 
in the neighbourhood ; however, they were not 
a little surprised to find a large tract of country 

occu- 

\ 



( 47 ) 



occupied in their front, by troops dressed in 
British uniform^ and commanded by British of- 
ficers, the strength of which they were unable 
to ascertain ; they likewise understood that the 
fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida were 
well-garrisoned and in a good state of defence ; 
the French general was consequently induced to 
halt, not conceiving his means adequate to un- 
dertake the sieges of two such fortresses in an 
effective state of defence, with a disposable force 
under British generals, the strength of which 
he was ignorant of, or to oppose a corps, by 
which his advance posts had been attacked on 
several occasions, and #ig3SS3Bg&e£ some piquets 
surprised and captured ; he therefore took up a 
position in the neighbourhood of Salamanca, 
leaving his advanced posts a few leagues in front 
of that city which had made no opposition to 
his entrance. We even understood afterwards 
that the enemy expected to be attacked, and we 
found by intercepted dispatches that they re- 
ported Brigadier General Wilson's corps to be 
ten or twelve thousand men, supported by the 
garrisons of Almeida and Ciudad Rodrigo, con- 
taining as many more troops. In consequence 
of these circumstances the Supreme Junta of 
Spain conferred the command of the entire of 
the Spanish troops, in the kingdom of Leon, on 

Sir 



( 48 ) 



Sir Robert Wilson, which enabled him, aided by 
the British officers, to concert his arrangements 
on a larger scale. 

The British troops, that had remained in Por- 
tugal, were by this time assembled at Lisbon, 
preparing for embarkation and evacuating the 
country ; they had caused the batteries even of 
Lisbon to be dismantled, having given up the 
intention of its defence, under the general idea 
that prevailed concerning the state of affairs at 
that period. But on their being apprized of the 
unexpected stop that had been put to the rapid 
advance of the enemy, the embarkation of the 
troops and stores was withheld, and our affairs 
not seeming to bear such a forlorn aspect (as 
was a little before conceived) from Sir Robert 
Wilson's and Colonel Mayne's dispatches to Sir 
John Cradock, a much more favourable and 
more satisfactory line of conduct was deter- 
mined on: for though it appeared that the ene- 
my had obliged the main British army to em- 
bark with considerable loss, yet this they now 
imagined was not the only regular army to op- 
pose them, and they gave up the idea that the 
subsequent conquest of the Peninsula was a 
matter of course ; although they had obtained 
possession of the capital of Madrid, and estab- 
lished 



( 49 ) 



lished the French government there after defeat- 
ing all who opposed them. 

Buonaparte, who had himself been at Madrid 
with a large portion of his army, had withdrawn, 
leaving his brother Joseph on the Spanish throne, 
and was directing his operations against other 
continental powers, then making an effort to 
obtain their own independence in co-operating 
with the Peninsula in the common cause of 
Europe against the powerful arm of France, 
striking the last blow for the subjugation of the 
continent. But King Joseph Buonaparte found 
' that the French force left in Spain did not suc- 
ceed as he expected, in overrunning the country, 
and reported to the Emperor the unexpected 
circumstance of the inadequacy of his means for 
deciding the conquest of the Peninsula. 

The salvation of Portugal was, at this criti- 
cal period, in a great measure owing to the 
enterprizing and distinguished services of the 
Loyal Lusitanian Legion under the British 
officers ; for if the evacuation of the country by 
the British troops had taken place, a French 
army of eight or ten thousand men could have 
marched direct to Lisbon, where there could not 
e be 



( 50 ) 



be collected a regular effective force at that 
time, of half that number to oppose them. 

The Legion continued to occupy the same 
tract of country already stated, affording conti- 
nual annoyances to the enemy, who had been 
scattered over the towns in the vicinity of Sala- 
manca, for the purpose of plundering the inha- 
bitants; and Colonel D'Urban, now Brigadier 
General in the Portugueze service, and many 
enterprizing British officers,* had been attracted 
towards this corps, by its already acquired fame, 
and attached themselves to its fortunes. 

In one enterprize, Sir Robert, accompanied 
by the British officers and some Legion dragoons, 
gallopped into the French outpost at the village 
of Labobada, suddenly surprised them in their 
houses, making them all prisoners, after a 
short resistance, in which they were overpower- 
ed. Captain Picaluci of the Lusitanian light 
horse, acting aide-de-camp to Colonel Mayne, 
was the only officer killed on this occasion, who 
having received a carbine ball through the heart, 
instantly expired, while leading on his men in a 

* Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, and Major L'Estrange, now 
Lieutenant Colonel of the 31st regiment. 

most 



( 51 ) 



most gallant manner. The prisoners being dis- 
armed, were sent into the woods under an es- 
cort of Spanish peasants, to whom we had given 
their arms. A considerable body of the enemy's 
cavalry having obtained information of this suc- 
cessful enterprize, advanced ; and being far su- 
perior to us in numbers, obliged us to retire 
contented with the capture we had made. But 
in skirmishing with them, Lieutenant L'Estrange 
of the 71st Regiment was taken prisoner, mount- 
ed on one of the French horses that had been 
taken, and which he unfortunately conceived 
better than his own. General D'Urban and 
Lieutenant-Colonel Grant particularly distin- 
guished themselves on this occasion. 

And again, we received intimation of the ene- 
my's having made a requisition for money and 
horses, at the town of Ledesma, on the river 
Tormes, which was to have been ready on a cer- 
tain day, to a considerable amount, under the 
severe penalties of the destruction of the place, 
and execution of the magistrates: we resolv- 
ed, therefore, on preventing such an import- 
ant supply from falling into the enemy's hands, 
if possible; and proceeded with a squadron 
of cavalry, and about one hundred select in- 
e 2 fantry, 



( 5.2 ) 

fantry,* whom we mounted on all sorts of mules 
and horses that could be procured, with the in- 
tention of suddenly falling on the enemy's es- 
cort, should it appear that our force nearly 
equalled theirs, or that circumstances afforded 
us any prospect of success, in attempting thus 
to preserve the property of our allies. We 
happened to arrive at Ledesma, quite unexpect- 
edly ; and there found the Junta in state ready 
for the reception of their rapacious and dread- 
ed enemy, for the purpose of delivering up to 
them the treasure and cattle demanded. We im- 
mediately concluded, that the most effectual 
way of preventing the above booty from falling 
into the hands of the enemy, would be to have 
it removed out of their reach, bv sending it to 
the Junta of Ciudacl Rodrigo; it was conse- 
quently resigned to us, and we delivered it over 
to the Junta of Ciudad Rodrigo. We afterwards 
understood that we were scarce an hour gone, 
when the enemy entered in considerable force 
from Salamanca, and were most disagreeably 
surprised at their unexpected disappointment, 
not finding either the horses or money, which 

* The Legion had been joined by a good many British sol- 
diers, cavalry and infantry, stragglers, sick, and prisoners, 
who escaped from Sir JoTin Moore's army. 

they 



( 53 ) 



they had understood were ready for their ac- 
ceptance, and were consequently most vehe- 
mently enraged. They would probably have 
wreaked their vengeance on the unfortunate and 
innocent inhabitants, had not the Junta shewn Sir 
Robert Wilson's receipt, specifying the number 
of horses and quantity of money He had re- 
ceived ; — and for their own justification, they 
stated his demand having been seconded by a 
military force, in consequence of which they 
were induced to comply, being unable to act 
otherwise. This had the desired effect of saving 
them and the inhabitants from destruction ; but 
to prevent any thing of the kind for the future, 
the French sent a garrison there, which was 
shortly afterwards alarmed by a detachment of 
the Legion under the command of Lieutenant 
Colonel Grant, who attacked their advance posts 
by night, and surprised them sitting round their 
fires in the woods, by falling on them suddenly, 
and killed or dispersed the whole; those who 
escaped fled into the town, and the enemy were 
induced to confine their garrison afterwards 
within the walls of the place. 

Scarcely a day passed without some enterprize 
of this nature occurring, which tended most 
considerably to the annoyance of the enemy, 

e 3 never 



( 54 ) 



never permitting them a moment's tranquillity, 
and it likewise did not suffer them to scatter 
small plundering parties over the country, never 
knowing when and where they might expect 
to be attacked. On this service we derived 
considerable advantage from the assistance of 
the Spanish guerrillas, and from the attachment 
and fidelity manifested by the native peasantry, 
who bore an inveterate enmity towards the 
French on all occasions, and who cordially 
assisted in constantly obtaining us the most 
correct information of all the enemy's move- 
ments and strength. 

The conduct of the Loyal Lusitanians, and the 
enterprizing operations and able dispositions 
made by their officers, rendered these important 
services not only to Portugal and Spain, but to 
all Europe, in the common cause of its indepen- 
dence, arresting the progress of the enemy 
advancing into Portugal (at that period deemed 
inadequate to any resistance), and gaining time 
for the British government, on being acquainted 
with the real state of affairs, to send another ex- 
pedition to Portugal under Lord Wellington, who 
on his arrival in the Peninsula was enabled to 
defeat Marshal Soult in the North, at Oporto, 

while 



( S5 ) 



while the corps under General Lapisse # was pre- 
vented by the Legion from entering Portugal by 
Almeida, to co-operate with Marshal Soult. 

The native valour and steadiness of the Por- 
tugueze troops, with their willingness and obe- 
dience to British discipline, and confidence and 
attachment to British officers, so strongly mani- 
fested on these occasions, induced the British 
government to pursue the original intention of 
extending the system (which had been so fortu- 
nately justified by the distinguished services of 
the Loyal Lusitanian Legion) to the whole Por- 
tugueze army, and General Beresford was sent to 
Lisbon in March, 1809, with British officers, 
arms, appointments, &c. for the organization 
of the whole army. 

The Legion still continued to annoy the 
enemy, from whom constant desertions took 
place, in consequence of our having had hand- 
bills circulated amongst them, written in dif- 
ferent languages, which induced many, princi- 
pally those who had been serving by force in 
the French army, to fly to us for protection, 
having been given their choice to be sent to their 



* Afterwards killed in action. 

x 4 native 



( 4* ) 

native country, or enter the British service. 
We now had two battalions of the corps at 
Puerto de Bainos, an important pass, to inter- 
cept the communications between Lapisseat Sa- 
lamanca, and the French army under Marshal 
Victor, opposed to a Spanish force under Gene- 
ral Cuesta, on the Tagus, in the neighbourhood 
of Almaraz, which was of considerable impor- 
tance, and annoyed and deranged the plans 
of the enemy in a very great degree. 

The command of this pass was given to Colo- 
nel Mayne, who had been removed from Al- 
meida, when it appeared there was no likelihood 
of the enemy's advancing, or investing that for- 
tress, and when he had seen, under his imme- 
diate direction and superintendance, all the 
valuable stores to the amount of £ 150,000 ster- 
ling, safely conveyed from thence and secured 
at Lam ago. 

Colonel Mayne added considerably to the na^ 
tural strength of this important pass of Bainos, by 
mining the roads through it, and having his ar- 
tillery placed in the most commanding situa- 
tions, lest these corps of the enemy should at- 
tempt to force the pass, to form a junction 
through it; he also at this time, in compliance 

with 



( 57 ) 



with the desire of the inhabitants, assisted in for- 
tifying the town of Bejar, the vaunted residence 
of the dukes of that title * 

A large convoy with important dispatches 
was intercepted about this period by our guerril- 
las, and those of the escort who had not been put 
to the sword brought in prisoners to Colonel 
Mayne. With the dispatches there were Paris 
mails for [Madrid, containing many public and of- 
ficial communications, which were of great im- 
portance to be acquainted with, and likewise many 
private and affectionate love letters, and tender 
remembrances from the Parisian fair ; the for- 
mer official dispatches served for our leader's 
consideration, while the latter amused the leisure 
hours of our party, and the subject was pecu- 
liarly adapted to the lonely and romantic scenes 
in the lofty Sierra d'Estrelia; we even found 
some French butter in the mail for his Majesty, 
King Joseph, from his imperial brother, amongst 
many other tokens of his royal favour and af- 
fection. The seals of King Joseph's new govern- 
ment were captured in this mail, and there. were 

* The Junta of Bejar presented Colonel Mayne v.ith the 
sword of the Dukes of Bejar, as a token of their gratitude on 
this occasion. 

some 



( S8 ) 



some trifling presents for the officers of tbe 
French army : among these a watch for the In- 
tend ant General Danet, which has a reference 
to a *curious concurrence. 

We likewise at this time intercepted a dis- 
patch, wherein Laplisse mentioned his having 
marched a corps of 6000 men to reinforce Vic- 
tor; but on finding Puerto de Bainos occu- 
pied by the division under Colonel Mayne, with 
artillery, they were obliged to return. General 
Laplisse was determined then to know our force, 
which he endeavoured to make us concentrate, 
by advancing towards Ciudad Rodrigo, which 
he failed in doing, but he made some attacks 
on our out-posts with success. 

Major L'Estrange commanded a post at the 
bridge of the Ecla, which was attacked by a con- 
siderable force of the enemy, who succeeded in 
obliging it to retire after some resistance, in 
which Major L'Estrange was made prisoner. 
Colonel John Wilson's post was likewise at- 
tacked by General Hammerstein's regiment of 
chasseurs a cheval, in which, after a gallant 
contest in a close intricate country, the enemy, 



* Vide Appendix, F. 



losing 



( 59 ) 

losing considerably by the well directed fire of 
the Portugueze and Spaniards, were very happy 
to retire. 

After this the enemy advanced to Ciuclad 
Rodrigo, with the entire of the force that 
was in the vicinity of Salamanca, reduced 
at this time to 7000 effective men, and sum- 
moned this garrison for the first time to sur- 
render, threatening, in case of refusal, to put 
the garrison to the sword. Lieutenant Colonel 
Grant with a detachment of the Legion, with 
four guns, remained outside the works, and re- 
ceived the summons, brought by a French offi- 
cer, accompanied by a trumpeter, who wanted 
to enter the garrison with it ; this he was refused, 
but his summons was forwarded to the governor; 
and the enemy continued to advance during the 
temporary armistice towards the gates of the 
garrison ; the Legion guns placed on an emi- 
nence in front of the works, immediately let 
them know, by opening a brisk and destruc- 
tive fire on their advancing columns, that they 
were acting against the customs of war, which 
induced them, on sustaining some loss, to halt, 
and consequently the fire ceased. 

The governor's reply to the summons was, 

that 



i 



( 60 ) 

that consistent with his duty as governor of that 
fortress, he could not think of acceding to it, 
even if he saw a greater necessity for so doing 
than appeared to him at present. We now 
expected that the place would be immediately 
invested ; however, after a sharp contest between 
the Legion and the enemy, it appeared they 
manifested no very serious intention of under- 
taking a siege, and it was consequently con- 
cluded they had expected to frighten the gar- 
rison to surrender. 

Shortly afterwards another summons was sent 
by General Lapisse, trusting the Spanish general 
and garrison would not allow themselves to be 
misled by British officers recommending their 
resistance to a summons in the name of his 
Majesty the King of Spain ; and that if they 
did, the result must prove fatal to the garrison 
and inhabitants, as he should be reduced to the 
necessity of giving up the place to the common 
soldiery on its fall, to plunder, &c. &c. ; heat 
the same time suggested, that if the governor 
opened his gates and acknowledged King 
Joseph, he should himself be most handsomely 
rewarded, and continue to hold the government 
of the garrison, and that the inhabitants should 
experience the kindest treatment from his Im- 
perial 



( 61 ) 

m 

perial Majesty's armies. The verbal reply sent 
back was that the answer to the last summons 
was wadded in the ordnance of the garrison, 
which they should receive on their farther 
advance. Lieutenant-Colonel Grant distin- 
guished himself most particularly on this occa- 
sion, and in another brilliant affair with a.column 
of the same army at San Felices, on the Agueda, 
which is detailed in Sir Robert Wilson's* dis- 
patch. 

The French general, finding the capture of 
this garrison could not be effected without a re- 
gular siege, being well fortified and strongly gar- 
risoned, and the project of frightening it to sur- 
render having failed, concluded, that his entrance 
into Portugal by this* road, to co-operate with 
Soult,wasnot to be effected. His communication 
with Salamanca in his rear, was likewise cut off 
by the two other battalions of the Legion, and the 
different other corps then under the command 
of Colonel Mayne ; and at this very time the 
peasantry all rose, in the neighbourhood for many 
miles round, and joined us. The enemy finding 
himself thus beset, on all sides, and his commu- 
nication with Salamanca and his rear cut off, 



* Vide Appendix, G. 



made 



( 62 ) 



made a sudden movement towards the southj 
for the purpose of endeavouring to form a junc- 
tion with Victor's corps on the left bank of the 
Tagus, by crossing that river at the bridge of 
Alcantara. By this unexpected movement of 
the enemy, Colonel Mayne's division was 
brought rather in his front, and he moved on 
Cacillas de Flores, making an endeavour to pos- 
sess himself of the pass of Peralis, which headed 
the enemy's column, and through which it was 
necessary for him to pass to proceed to Alcantara, 
which, had the Colonel had sufficient time to ef- 
fect, would have enabled him to engage the ene- 
my in that very strong position, and arrest his 
progress, until the surrounding Spanish and 
Portuguese bodies united for a general attack. 

The Colonel consequently moved on with the 
Legion and some cavalry, having previously sent 
forward Captains Lillie and Charles, for the 
purpose of observing the movement of the 
enemy's column. These officers, after crossing 
the extensive forests between Cacillas des Flores 
and Peralis, at length came in sight of the 
French division on the main road, which passes 
the village of Paio, and while they were 
making their reconnoissance from the rising 
ground immediately above the village of Paio, 

a French 



( 63 ) 

a French column was passing close underneath 
in the direction of Peralis, and a plundering 
party of the French, with some waggons, sepa- 
rated from the main body for the purpose of 
ransacking that village, through which those 
officers had just passed, and whose return was 
intercepted by the enemy having obtained pos- 
session of it, which was done unnoticed by them, 
in consequence of the close wood which sur- 
rounds it ; they therefore found themselves cut 
off, there being no passage for horsemen, except 
through the village, and their only alternative 
was to surrender as prisoners, or make an at- 
tempt at running the risk of gallopping through 
the village in the enemy's possession, which 
they immediately resolved on, and suddenly 
passing through the French soldiers, with which 
the place was thronged, got clear out, without 
even a shot being fired at them, or any attempt 
made to stop them ; on their getting into the 
wood at the other side, they came suddenly on 
a few Spanish dragoons, who, taking them for 
French cavalry riding towards them, knowing 
a considerable number to have been in the 
place they came from, gallopped off to Colonel 
Mayne, whom they met within two leagues of the 
place, advancing towards it, and acquainted 
him of their adventure. Colonel Mayne ascer- 
tained 



( 64 ) 

tained from these officers, the particulars of 
the enemy's movements, and finding he was un- 
able to secure the pass of Peralis, the enemy 
being then in possession of it, he endeavoured, 
if possible, to cut off the detachment at Paio ; 
he therefore moved forward with his cavalry as 
quick as possible, but found they had fled on 
his approach • however, he pursued them closely, 
and made some prisoners, but was unable to 
retake their plunder, which they had sent a con- 
siderable distance in advance. 

Sir Robert Wilson, who had been also pursuing 
the enemy from Ciudad Rodrigo with a few 
dragoons, came to Paio at night, having 
made a considerable number of prisoners that 
day and the day "before. Colonels Wilson and 
Grant likewise united at Paio, from whence we 
all proceeded next day, and continued the 
pursuit of the enemy, uniting all the dif- 
ferent bodies for that purpose. Our force at 
this time amounted to many thousands. We 
pursued the enemy with our whole force for two 
days, making a number of prisoners in the dif- 
ferent skirmishes with his rear. The pursuit 
was continued with great success, and harassed 
the enemy excessivel} 7 , who supposed they were 
followed by a very large army. 

On 



( 65 ) 



On their arrival at Alcantara*, an ancient and 
renowned city, which is fortified, and the chief 
resort of the knights of that name, and which is 
situated on the left bank of the river Tagus in 
Spain, and close to the Portugueze frontier, the 
inhabitants endeavoured, as much as possible, 
to obstruct the passage of the river, over which 
there is a most magnificent and ancient bridge 
of Roman architecture, built by Trajan, at 
the extremities of the battlements of which they 
had constructed a kind of abbatis across the 
road, which had been excavated to the depth of 
eighteen or twenty feet ; the enemy rinding 
himself so pressed in his rear, resolved on at- 
tempting it by storm, consequently those obsta- 
cles, however strong, were of little avail, being 
unprotected by a regular garrison, or, in fact, 
any military force. 

The bridge having been passed, after the town 
had been cannonaded for some time, and the 
gates forced open, the revenge and cruelty of 
the enemy were exercised in the most barbarous 
manner on the unfortunate and helpless inhabi- 
tants who had been found in the town, or taken 
in endeavouring to effect their escape. They 
were butchered in the most brutal manner in 



* This town was taken by Lord Gal way in 1706. 

f every 



( 66 ) 



every direction, and it may be doubted whether 
the annals of history describe so inhuman a 
spectacle as that unfortunate place presented 
on its evacuation by its treacherous and cruel 
enemy, who performed acts of cruelty and bar- 
barity there that would disgrace the most savage 
and uncivilized of mankind. 

Two squadrons of our advanced cavalry, one 
Spanish, under Don Carlos D'Espagne, and the 
other Portugueze, under Captain Lillie, of the 
Legion, arrived in the night in front of Alcantara, 
immediately after the French had entered it in 
the evening, and continued near the town, 
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel 
Grant. At day-break the following morning, they 
moved down towards the bridge, and obtained 
intimation that the enemy had marched out on 
the Caceres road. The scene witnessed by the 
above officers on entering the town, exceeds 
all description ; the houses in many parts of 
this unfortunate place were in flames, and the 
passage of the streets actually obstructed by 
mangled bodies of all descriptions lying in heaps; 
in other places, piles of furniture, and many va- 
luable articles that could not be brought away had 
been erected in front of the houses of some of 
the principal inhabitants, and had been set fire 
to, and the mutilated bodies of the unfortunate 

owners 



( 67 ) 



owners covered with wounds, were thrown on 
the piles, and there found burning in a most 
shocking manner. They were afterwards recog- 
nized, with a good deal of difficulty, by some 
of their unfortunate families, on their return 
from the woods and mountains to which they had 
fled, and the melancholy sadness and sorrow de- 
picted in the countenances of these unhappy peo- 
ple, recognizing the mangled bodies of their 
nearest friends and relations, lying in heaps 
about the streets, is not to be described. Mixed 
with human bodies were likewise those of dogs 
and pigs ; in fact, every animal of whatever de- 
scription the invaders had met with, fell a vic- 
tim to the unexampled cruelty of those horrid 
and despicable ruffians ; even the chapels, and 
places of divine worship, did not escape their 
ravages ; they broke open the doors, and 
polluted the altars of those sacred edifices, car- 
rying off all the plate and valuables they could 
find; not permitting even the deceased to rest 
in peace and quietness, they raised the tomb- 
stones which form the floors of the cathedrals and 
other places of worship in these countries, and 
broke open the coffins, in hopes of being able to 
discover some hidden treasure that might have 
hitherto escaped their search ; even the beau- 
tiful paintings and scripture pieces which orna- 
ment so considerably those magnificent build- 
f 2 ings, 



( 68 ) 



ings, were mangled and destroyed, and the figures 
of our Saviour and the Saints, beautifully carved, 
as large as life, were knocked about, and mutila- 
ted in a most depraved manner. Our cavalry, 
with a great deal of difficulty, effected their 
passage through the streets, and found that the 
enemy had continued their march, with consi- 
derable dispatch, in the direction of Brozas, tak- 
ing with them their sacrilegious plunder. 

The enemy had destroyed the provisions of alt 
sorts that they could not themselves consume, 
and our cavalry were obliged to move immedi- 
ately into Portugal, about eight miles distant, 
having been a considerable time without subsis- 
tence of any description either for themselves or 
their horses, leaving the unfortunate city of Al- 
cantara to experience for the first time in these 
campaigns, the misery and shocking devasta- 
tions of uncivilized war. 

Major-General Beresford was at Thomar atthis 
period, organizing the Portugueze army, and 
had ordered the Legion into Portugal, and Sir 
Robert himself to Thomar, for the purpose of giv- 
ing him a different command with the force then 
about to proceed towards the north of Portugal, 
for the purpose of expelling the French corps, 
under Marshal Soult, which had remained un- 
molested 



( 69 ) 



molested in that quarter, and was then at 
Oporto, to which place, as was observed before, 
he advanced, unsupported by any other co- 
operating body. After General Laplisse's attempt 
on the eastern frontier had been so fortunately 
frustrated by the Legion, Soult was attacked by 
the allies under Sir Arthur Wellesley, in May, 
and routed with considerable loss, including his 
artillery and baggage. The fugitives took the 
direction of Gallicia, from which they had en- 
tered, and were closely pursued into that pro- 
vince. 

The Loyal Lusitanian Legion was at this time 
attached to the corps of the allied army under 
Major-General Mackenzie, which had been form- 
ed on the right bank of the Tagus, as a corps 
of observation on the enemy's force, who had 
been opposed to the Spanish general Cuesta, in 
Spanish Estremadura, of which corps the Loyal 
Lusitanian Legion formed the advance at Al- 
cantara, under Colonel Mayne, where it had an 
opportunity of particularly distinguishing itself 
and the commander, in a most brilliant action, 
which gained it the admiration of the whole 
Peninsula; the particulars of which shall be 
hereafter related. , 



It must appear extraordinary, that nothing has 
f 3 been 



( 70 ) 



been mentioned of our second division, which had 
never joined us, under Baron Eben, but which 
junction it was so natural to expect would have 
been effected long ere this, in obedience to the 
orders he had received ; and it may easily be 
concluded what an acquisition such an organ- 
ized, well clothed and appointed reinforcement, 
would have been to the corps, during the late 
arduous undertakings to which it had been ex- 
posed ; and in proportion as it would have so 
considerably increased our means of acting, 
so it would, in like manner, have added addi- 
tional lustre to the result of our undertak- 
ings. 

But the Noble Baron, on some account 
or other, deferred his march from Oporto 
until Marshal Soult had effected his entrance 
through Chaves, into Portugal, when the baron 
(who had not participated in the honours and 
well-acquired fame which had so eminently 
distinguished the Legion from its late exertions) 
set out from Oporto with the second division, 
J 200 strong, not for the purpose of joining his 
corps, according to the arrangement already 
made, but of attacking Marshal Soult, a re- 
nowned Marshal of France, at the head of 10,000 
veteran troops. Most certainly the defeat of 
such a corps by Baron Eben, at the head of 

1,200 



( 71 ) 



1,200 unexperienced Portugueze troops, would 
have been unparalleled, consequently the fame 
and glory of such an inconceivable success 
would have been productive of the most brilli- 
ant honours and rewards, and would certainly 
have covered any remarks that might have hi- 
therto been made as to his delay at Oporto : 
it would at the same time have far exceeded 
whatever the comparatively small services of 
the first division had achieved, under every ex- 
ertion and toil, and would have completely 
overbalanced the fame they had so justly ac- 
quired. 

The Portugueze general, Bernardino Frere, 
who was commander-in-chief of the army, 
being about this time accused of treason by 
a lawless mob, was, without farther inquiry, 
way-laid by them, and himself and his staff 
murdered ; the commaud of the army was 
conferred on Baron Eben, but not by Mar- 
shal Beresford, by whom he was superseded 
as soon as possible. The Baron, however, con- 
tinued his march against Marshal Soult, but 
the result was not so favourable as we could 
wish, for the Baron's return to Oporto was 
much quicker than his advance; and it was 
with much regret we found that our second 
F 4 division, 



( 72 ) 



division, after being dispersed, continued to fly 
in all directions, in the utmost disorder, and 
the greater part were disarmed by the peasantry; 
who, finding them scattered about by twos and 
threes, without any officers, and quitting that 
part of the country into which the enemy were 
advancing, concluded that such fine arms and 
appointments, &c. which had but just arriyed 
from England, might be meant for a better use, 
and laid hold of them for the purpose of pro- 
tecting themselves and their families from the 
small plundering parties of the enemy. 

This, alas ! was the fate of the second division 
of the Legion, which Sir Robert Wilson had en- 
trusted to the Baron, relying on him for the 
junction of it with the first, as soon as pos- 
sible. 

i 

As we found this unfortunate and scattered 
division directed their course to Lisbon, Captain 
Liilie was detached from the first division to 
that city, for the purpose of reassembling them, 
and marching them to join Colonel Mayne when 
completed with arms, appointments, &c. which, 
after a little time, was effected, and when they 
joined the first division, they amounted to 800 

rank 



( 73 ) 



rank and file, and Baron Eben remained at Lis- 
bon during the succeeding campaigns. 

While the allies under Sir Arthur Wellesiey 
were in pursuit of Soult's corps in the north of 
Portugal, in May, 1809, Victor, not know- 
ing of our successes in that quarter, moved with 
a corps of 12,000 men, commanded by himself 
in person, from Spanish Estremadura towards 
Portugal, for the pupose of making a diversion 
in Soult's favour, and on his arriving at the 
bridge of Alcantara, which was occupied by the 
Loyal Lusitanian Legion, which formed the ad- 
vance of General M'Kenzie's corps, under the 
command of Colonel Mavne, he found he 
must force his way over it. 

Colonel Mayne had made the necessary dis- 
positions for the defence of the bridge and the 
position he had taken. 

Lieutenant Colonel Grant, who was in advance, 
retired before the enemy's corps, after some 
skirmishing on the 12th of May, on which 
day the enemy entered Alcantara, which on 
account of its being on the left bank of the 
Tagus it was necessary to evacuate, for the 
purpose of defending the passage of the river, 

which 



( 74 ) 



which was the only object, consequently this 
unfortunate city was again exposed to the ra- 
vages of its wanton enemies. The position 
taken up by Colonel Mayne was on an emi- 
nence, the opposite side of the river from Alcan- 
tara, where some batteries had been erected. 
There was a battalion of militia also under 
Colonel Mayne's command, which including 
all did not exceed two thousand men. How- 
ever our means might be inadequate to ultimate 
success, still it was a great object at that period 
to retard as much as possible the entrance of 
the enemy into Portugal in that direction, 
as it would bring him in rear of the allies in 
the north; consequently Colonel Mayne was 
determined to dispute the passage of the river 
as much as possible, in conformity to the orders 
he had received. 

The enemy's columns having come within 
range of our batteries, our guns commenced a 
fire on them with a good deal of effect, and many 
shells were pitched directly into the centre 
of their columns, which did considerable exe- 
cution. The parapets and walls of the town 
were soon lined by the infantry of the ene- 
my, while they constructed batteries, which 
afterwards bore with a good deal of effect on our 

position, 



C 75 ) 



position, and particularly two which were 
brought to bear on our flanks. In the mean time 
a heavy and destructive fire of musketry had 
commenced on both sides. But the enemy hav- 
ing brought all their artillery to bear on us, toge- 
ther with the concentrated fire of eleven thousand 
muskets, with which the houses, &c. on the op- 
posite side were lined, we were obliged to give 
way ; but much to the credit of the brave sol- 
diers engaged, be it recorded, that they sustain- 
ed that tremendous fire for the space of nine 
hours, during which the enemy could not 
succeed in any attempt made at carrying the 
bridge by storm, having suffered most consi- 
derably from the well directed fire of our sharp- 
shooters, covered by the rocks, &c. within forty 
or fifty yards of the bridge, and from that to 
one and two hundred yards along the ascent of 
the heights. However night coming on, which 
would evidently favour them, and especially in 
any attempt at carrying the bridge by storm, in 
which from the vast superiority of their numbers 
they must ultimately succeed, together with our 
having our small force already reduced by the 
loss of seven officers, and two hundred and fifty 
men killed and wounded, Colonel Mayne was in- 
duced, to prevent the complete sacrifice of these 
brave fellows under his command, to retire to 

the 



C 76 ) 

the bridge of Seguro, only two leagues dis 
tant, leaving a rear guard with the cavalry, 
under Lieutenant Colonel Grant, to cover this 
movement, which was effected with the greatest 
steadiness and regularity, and proved these 
young troops to be worthy of the ancient mili- 
tary character of the Portugueze nation, having 
evinced that fortitude and gallantry at so early 
a period of the campaigns, which was after- 
wards so fully maintained, that they were report- 
ed to the British government by Lord Welling- 
ton as " worthy of contending in the same ranks 
with veterans, to which they were not inferior 
in point of valour and discipline." The Loyal 
Lusitanian Legion took up anotherjposition at 
the bridge of Seguro, in case the enemy should 
be determined on any other attempt of forcing 
their way into Portugal. The advance of the 
enemy moved towards this position, which they 
reconnoitred, sustaining at the same time some 
loss from our skirmishers in front, but find- 
ing their advance was still determined to be 
resisted, and possibly having obtained some in- 
telligence of Soult's defeat, they returned with- 
out demonstrating any inclination to attack us 
again ; and Victor marched off in the direction 
from whence he had advanced into Spanish Es- 
tremadura, declaring in a letter which was after- 
wards intercepted, that in the course of his ser- 
vice 



( 77 ) 



vice he never witnessed more intrepidity than 
was evinced by these young Portugueze sol- 
diers at the battle of Alcantara. The Comman- 
der-in-chief 's orders are annexed in the Appen- 
dix, and the gallant conduct of the Loyal Lusi- 
tanian Legion in this affair is mentioned in a 
manner most flattering to the officers and sol- 
diers of that corps ; noticing to the whole army 
in General Orders, " that although troops may 
be sometimes obliged to retire, at the same time 
they may cover themselves with glory, and merit 
the greatest praise." * 

The British and Portugueze forces which 
had been in pursuit of Soult, returned about 
the end of May and beginning of June, and 
the British army daily increasing, Sir Arthur 
Wellesley determined on moving into Spain. 
Sir Robert Wilson had at this time returned to 
his legion, and had succeeded in effecting an 
arrangement with Sir Arthur, that the Loyal 
Lusitanian Legion was to be attached to the 
British army about to commence active opera- 
tions in Spain, the advance of which it had the 
honour of forming under Sir Robert Wilson, 
who had likewise the 5th Portugueze Cacadores 
or light infantry attached to his corps, during its 

* Vide Appendix, I. 

subsequent 



( 78 ) 

subsequent services in Spain, which were the 
only Portugueze troops at that time deemed ad- 
visable to bring on that service. 

The necessary arrangements having been 
made, the British army was put in motion in the 
month of July, 1809, and proceeded into 
Spain by Castello Branco*, Salvaterra, and 
Zarza Mayor, the Loyal Luzitanians leading in 
advance. We passed through Coria and Pla- 
centiaf, after which a junction was formed with 
the Spanish army of General Cuesta, which 
had crossed the Tagus for that purpose at Al- 
maraz and Archibispo ; and in consequence of 
the enemy's being in force in our front, occu- 
pying Talaveraj: de la Reyna and its neighbour- 
hood, a general engagement was immediately 

* This town is placed on a granite hill, between the Liria 
and the Poncul, encircled by its double wall and four gates, 
its flank of seven towers, and once formidable castle. There is 
a very fine bishop's palace, with the finest gardens and plan- 
tations in Portugal. 

f Placentia is situated in a plain surrounded by mountains, 
forty leagues west of Madrid. It has a castle and a few bad 
fortifications, and is the seat of a diocese. 

I Talavera del Reyna, on the Tagus, in New Castile, was a 
very populous and prosperous town, and famous for its great 
silk manufactures. Here are the remains of a very fine Ro- 
man temple, but nothing else of any note. 

expected. 



( 79 ) 



expected. But on the advance of the British 
the enemy withdrew their troops from that 
place, from which circumstance it appeared 
that the 1st corps of the French army, which 
had been posted in Talavera and its vicinity, de- 
clined coming to action with the allies, until a 
junction had been formed of the different corps 
of the enemy then assembling, under his ma- 
jesty King Joseph. 

Our Portugueze corps under Sir Robert 
Wilson, had been by this time reinforced by the 
Spanish regiments of Seville and Merida, and 
we separated from the allied army, making a 
rapid advance along the right bank of the 
Alberche river in the direction of Madrid, which 
manoeuvre brought us round the right flank of 
the enemy's corps which had taken post at 
Talavera, In the mean time the allies continued 
to advance on that town, while the enemy moved 
across the Alberche, where it was expected a 
general engagement would take place, which 
promised a most successful result t© the British 
arms. However the enemy finding his rear 
threatened by our corps, which had by this time 
got round his right flank, foresaw the imminent 
danger he was in of being cut off, should he 
come to an engagement with the allies on that 

day, 



( 80 ) 



day, consequently he abandoned his camp on 
the night of the 523d, and fled in the direction of 
Toledo.* 

The French official detail of those transac- 
tions states this circumstance thus, " that the 
combined force was on its march towards Tala- 
vera ; while a corps of eight or ten thousand 
men, commanded by General Wilson, was ad- 
vancing towards Escalona, along the right bank 

* Toledo has always been regarded as a town of great con- 
sideration by the Romans, the Arabs, the Goths, and the 
Spaniards, under Charles the Fifth. It is entered from a 
bridge of more height than strength. It is dignified by the 
title of Imperial by Alphonso the Sixth, and is pre-eminent to 
Burgos in the Cortes. This city is famous for the temper of 
sword blades. 

The architecture of the town-house by Dominico Greco, 
is of great taste ; and its towers, Doric and Ionic columns, 
and other ornaments, are well worthy of attention. 

The following inscription is on the staircase in Spanish : — 
" Noble and judicious men who govern Toledo, leave your 

passions on this staircase, love, fear, and the desire of gain. 
" For the public benefit forget private interest. 
" Serve God who made you the pillars of this august place. 
" Be firm and upright." 

The cathedral is one of the most venerable and interesting 
structures in Europe. 

of 



( 81 ) 



of the Alberche. The danger was imminent, 
and it was necessary to take decided measures." 
It therefore appeared that we again succeeded in 
concealing our real strength from the enemy, (as 
the entire effective strength of our corps did 
not really exceed half that number,) which had 
the effect of being one of the principal reasons, 
for causing the precipitate flight of a whole 
French army, under the command of Marshal 
the Duke of Belluno ; who in the same French 
account gets a good deal of credit for so doinof, 
having effected his escape from being cut off by 
" General Wilson's corps, which endeavoured to 
get in his rear." 

After this it was not conceived the enemy's 
intention was to make a stand before the allied 
armies, in consequence of which we pushed on 
through Naval Carneiro for Madrid,* which 
had been evacuated by King Joseph and his 

guards 

* Madrid, from a mean town built on a sterile spot, has 
become in some respects one of the finest cities in Europe. 
It has no suburbs, and its outline is formed by domes and 
spires, and in the distance the snow-topped mountains of Guard- 
arama. A superb bridge over the Manzanares river, designed 
by John de Herrera, built without stones, and having a para, 
pet breast high, upwards of seven hundred paces in length, and 
thirty in breadth, is a fine approach to the city, by the royal 

g residence 



( S3 ) 



guards taking the direction of Toledo, leaving 
a small garrison in the capital under General 
Beilliard. On our approach towards this city 
we were received with universal rejoicings by the 
natives all along the roads ; and the citizens, on 
hearing of our approach, burst forth, manifest- 
ing the greatest demonstrations of joy and glad- 
ness at the bright prospect which opened to 
them of shaking off the oppressive government 
with which they were burthened, and of ex- 
terminating their intrusive king, with his lawless 
followers. The gates of the city were thrown 
open to receive us, and the small French gar- 
rison overpowered, fled to the citadel, where 
they shut themselves up from the fury of the 
populace. The governor, General Beilliard, was 
a liberal and humane man, and notwithstand- 
ing the general tumult and uproar in the city, 
rode through the streets alone, entreating 
the inhabitants to have patience, and wait a 

residence and the gate of Segovia : the city has also a hand- 
some appearance when viewed from the entrance by the side 
of the Escurial, crossing a forest of ash trees, with agreeable 
pieces of water. The gate of San Vincente is new, and the 
palace, which is in many respects superb, is approached 
through it by a steep ascent. The verdure and the shade of 
the banks of the Manzaranes form the principal beauties of 
Madrid. Here is also the palace of Buen Retiro, and the so 
?nuch celebrated walk of the Prado. 

little 



( 83 ) 



little for the result of the general engagement, 
which he told them was about to take place at 
that time; and that in case the result proved 
successful for the allies, he should give them up 
the city; at the same time explaining to the peo- 
ple, that should the allies be unsuccessful, the 
inhabitants of Madrid would only expose them- 
selves to serious consequences, resulting from 
the displeasure of the king, &c. However the 
citizens of ail classes and descriptions flocked out 
to meet us for many miles, evincing every mark 
of loyalty and gratitude for the favourable 
prospect of their delivery from the French yoke, 
and congratulating us on the state of the capital, 
into which we should be received with cheer s 
and rejoicings, and without the least opposition 
from the enemy, &c. &c. 

The capital was at this time unprotected ; 
for it appeared that the enemy had formed a 
junction of all the troops it was in his power to 
unite, for the purpose of engaging the allies, 
and had moved them in the direction of Talave- 
ra. Madrid must therefore have surrendered to 
our arms : but Sir Arthur Wellesley was not aware 
of this circumstance, and to strengthen his own 
army, had countermanded Sir Robert Wilson, 
and thus prevented our having sufficient force to 
g 2 occupy 



( 84 ) 



occupy Madrid ; and we returned by forced 
marches, and arrived during the battle of Tala- 
vera* in the rear of the enemy's camp, which 
caused him considerable alarm, and obliged him 
at the same time to withdraw a corps of 10,000 
men to watch the movements of the Legion, and 
the reduction of so considerable a force from the 
enemy's army during the latter part of that im- 
portant engagement was of no small assistance to- 
wards the great and glorious result, and the ene- 
my commenced his retreat the following night, 
leaving the British heroes in possession of their 
well earned laurels on that memorable occasion, 
and the plains of Talavera strewed with many 
thousands of his killed and wounded. 

This scene, and the town of Talavera on the 
day after that glorious battle, presented a most 
awful spectacle, and the situation of the nume- 
rous wounded and dying, the half of which 
could not be sufficiently attended to, was truly 
pitiable. 

* On the 26th, and morning of the 2/th of July, the Spa- 
niards who had advanced were retreating in the most disor- 
derly manner. There was an affair of posts under General 
M'Kenzie this evening, and then commenced this memorable 
battle. Vide Appendix, K. 

The 



( 35 ) 

The enemy finding, after his retreat, that he 
was not closely pursued by the allies, halted part 
of his army on the 31st, but the Legion moved 
towards them, and obliged them to retreat; as 
we learn from their own dispatches,* which state 
that in consequence of intelligence of a Por- 
tugueze column having put itself in motion 
among the mountains to turn the right of the 
first corps. Marshal Victor was obliged to quit 
his position, and continue his retreat on Ma- 
queda. 

At this time Lord Wellington obtained in- 
formation of Souk's having passed through the 
Puerto de Bainos, and of his arrival at Piacen- 
tia in his rear, and he determined on marching 
to attack him, leaving General Cuesta with the 
Spanish army at Talavera, who, it had been set- 
tled in a council of war, was to have remained 
there. At the same time this circumstance 
was intimated to Sir Robert Wilson, (then ad- 
vanced towards Escalona.) whom Lord Wel- 
lington put in communication with General 
Cuesta : however, Sir Ptobert found that Gene- 
ral Cuesta had unexpectedly retired from Tala- 
vera the day after Lord Wellington, and that 
the enemy had advanced again to it. and thereby 



* Vide Appendix. L 
B 3 



got 



( 86 ) 



got possession of the British hospital left there, 
and the unfortunate wounded, among whom 
were many officers of the first distinction. 

In consequence of these unexpected circum- 
stances the Loyal Lusitanian Legion endeavour- 
ed, by long marches through the mountains, to 
return to the British army at Orapaza, from 
which we were sixty miles the day that General 
Cuesta evacuated Talavera, but we found that 
the road to Orapaza was in the enemy's posses- 
sion, and that it was then too late to retire bv 
Arzobispo. We were consequently in an alarm- 
ing situation, having no retreat left unoccupied 
by the enemy; however, nil desperandum, we 
determined on forcing our way across the Teitar 
towards the mountains which separate Estrema- 
durafrom Castile. 

At Aldea Nueva we met a detachment of the 
enemy which occupied that town, which we 
routed from it in a short time ; and understand- 
ing the enemy's corps about us had made ar- 
rangements for cutting us off, we were reduced 
to the necessity of making forced marches to the 
mountains, but we found that the town of Vi- 
randa, through which we were to pass, and at 
which we arrived at night, was occupied by the 

enemy 



( 87 ) 



enemy in force, and we were under circumstan- 
ces, induced to attempt carrying it by storm. 
We moved on quickly towards the gates, the 5th 
Cacadores forming the advance, but we were 
soon perceived by the sentries placed at the 
gates, and fired upon, which immediately 
alarmed the garrison : however we forced our 
way forward to the town, and found the garrison 
collected in the streets, who poured in a heavy 
volley amongst us, which was returned in an 
irregular manner by the Fifth Cacadores, who 
were in front, and who had halted, and appear- 
ed unwilling to proceed in consequence of the 
hot fire kept up by the enemy, the darkness of 
the night, and narrowness of the streets ; Sir 
Robert Wilson therefore ordered forward one of 
the battalions of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion 
from the rear, who eagerly advanced, proud 
of the circumstance, and of their selection on 
the occasion, and gallantly moved forward un- 
til they were brought in front, when they im- 
mediately poured in a well directed volley, and 
coming down instantly to the charge, advanced 
with cheers upon the enemy, whom they threw 
into greatest confusion, and drove before them 
at the point of the bayonet. 



Having thus fortunately succeeded in effect- 
g 4 ing 



( 88 ) 



ing this important passage, we marched on with- 
out delay or interruption, the enemy having dis- 
persed in all directions, and our loss on this oc- 
casion being inconsiderable. 

We attained the Sierra Liana shortly after- 
wards, leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Grant with 
the cavalry at Viranda to follow the next day. 
This had the effect of deceiving the enemy, 
who imagined the corps still remained there, 
and proceeded with a new force to attack it; on 
which our cavalry evacuated it quietly, and as- 
cended the pathway after the infantry towards 
the summit of that almost inaccessible moun- 
tain, where the enemy could not attack us on 
those formidable heights without sustaining the 
greatest loss. 

Having succeeded in eluding the vigilance of 
these corps of the enemy, which attempted to 
intercept our return, and having overcome 
those other bodies with whom we came in con- 
tact, we proceeded to Boyoyo, through Barco 
d'Avila, to Bejar and Bainos, taking the direc- 
tion of Portugal ; but in consequence of our 
communication having been so long cut off 
from any British or allied corps, we were not 
aware of the changes that had taken place, or 

of 



( 89 ) 

of the measures that had been adopted, or the 
state or situation of the different armies. 

We were proceeding on the road to Grena- 
dilha, from Puerte de Bainos, on the morning 
of the 12th of August, when a column of the 
enemy was discovered to be on the march, tak- 
ing the direction of Bainos from Placentia, 
which happened to be Marshal Ney's corps from 
that part of the army that Marshal Soult com- 
manded, and which was on its return to Sala- 
manca, leaving Soult with the remainder at 
Placentia. Sir Robert Wilson consequently re- 
solved on returning to Bainos, notwithstanding 
his not having artillery, (which he had received 
orders to leave with the British army previous to 
their movement from Talavera,) and he endea- 
voured to arrest the enemy's progress on the 
heights of the Puerto, leaving his advance un- 
der Lieutenant- Colonel Grant at Aldea Nueva, 
about a league in front of Bainos, with two 
companies of Spanish infantry placed in am- 
bush, who suddenly made their appearance on 
the arrival of the enemy's advanced cavalry, 
and saluted them with a well directed volley of 
musketry, which did such considerable execu- 
tion that they were obliged to return briskly on 
the main body again : however, they afterwards 

pushed 



( 90 ) 



pushed on in considerable force, and by extend- 
ing round the flanks of our advance, obliged 
them to retire on Bainos, which they did in a 
very regular manner, keeping up a brisk and 
destructive fire on the advancing enemy from 
behind the rocks, walls, &c. until they joined 
the main body in their rear, when the action 
became general. 

The enemy after this brought his numerous 
artillery to bear on our columns, when we seri- 
ously felt the want of that powerful arm of war : 
however we maintained our ground for many 
hours (nine) notwithstanding the great superio- 
rity of their numbers. The enemy on this oc- 
casion sustained a very great loss, particularly 
in their chasseurs a cheval, when attempting 
to get round our flanks ; but Sir Robert Wilson 
judging our means to be inadequate to farther 
resistance against such a manifest superiority 
of numbers, moved off his troops to his left, 
leaving the main road to Salamanca open for 
the enemy's passage. 

Sir Robert Wilson had a double object in 
view on being induced to engage the enemy at 
Bainos ; an evident one was, saving his corps 
from being attacked in the plain where they 

would 



( 91 ) 



would have been exposed to a very superior 
force, possessing a numerous train of artillery 
and cavalry, the result of which must have 
proved fatal to it ; and another was, that by en- 
gaging the enemy at the strong pass of Bainos, 
he might have the power of disabling a greater 
portion of them, and thus render the most es- 
sential service in checking their movement to- 
wards Salamanca, and consequently deranging 
their plans in a greater degree. 

Bv the French account of this engagement 
they report their loss to be fifteen field officers 
and captains, with one hundred and seventy 
subalterns and privates killed and wounded, 
besides many who fell dead in the ranks from 
the fatigue they suffered. Their loss, however, 
may be justly computed at three times that 
number, as the French reports of their real loss 
seldom exceed the third part, while they gene- 
rally treble that of their enemies. 

They report our loss to have been on that oc- 
casion twelve hundred men left dead on the 
field; which, including all in killed, wounded, 
and missing, did not amount to four hundred, 
among whom there was not a field officer or 
captain ; and many of those included in that 

number 



( S2 ) 



number, reported as missing, joined us after- 
wards ; therefore the enemy's loss may be very 
justly calculated to have doubled our own. 

Lord Wellington's dispatches,* after this af- 
fair, reflect much credit on the corps. The 
enemy, after burying their dead, and making 
arrangements for removing their wounded, ad- 
vanced towards Salamanca, while the Legion 
proceeded by Miranda del Castanas, through 
the pass of Peralis, towards Portugal, arriving 
at Castello Branco on the 24th of August, after 
which they joined Lord Wellington, who had 
at this time crossed the Tagus, and moved on 
Badajos and Elvas, where the British army took 
up its quarters for some succeeding months, to 
repose and recruit their severe losses at the bat- 
tle of Talavera de la Reyna. 

Marshal Beresford had collected a very large 
body of the Portugueze army in the vicinity of 
Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida, during those ope- 
rations, and afterwards moved through the pass 
of Peralis, along the Portugueze frontier to- 
wards the south. And it was conceived, that, 
had his Excellency moved to the pass of Bainos 
(being well provided with artillery, &c. for its 

* Vide Appendix, M. 

defence,) 



( 93 ) 



defence,) previous to Marshal Soult's move- 
ment through it in rear of the British army on 
Placentia, it would have tended most conside- 
rably to ensure to us those advantages, which 
appeared to be the probable result of the glorious 
victory obtained over the combined French 
army at Talavera; but our hopes were for the 
present frustrated, by Marshal Soult's unexpect- 
ed movement not being checked, and Lord 
Wellington then deeming it advisable to retire 
into Portugal with his victorious army. Had it 
not been for the turn this unfortunate neglect 
occasioned in our military prospects, Lord Wel- 
lington would have driven the French armies 
from the south of the Peninsula, and would have 
obliged them at this time to have retired beyond 
the Ebro. 

On Marshal Soult's unexpected entrance into 
Placentia, about five hundred of the Legion 
who had been detached in the neighbourhood 
of that place, under the command of Captain 
Lillie, were near being cut off, together with a 
British detachment of about an equal number, 
under Captain Tuckett of the 3d Foot. Some 
few British soldiers and officers fell into the ene- 
my's hands in Placentia, and some stores. How- 
ever these detachments, amounting to nearly 

one 



( 94 ) 



one thousand men, were of considerable service 
in protecting other British stores, &c. from the 
enemy's foraging parties, which they pushed out 
in all directions, more especially a large convoy 
that had been under the charge of Mr. James, 
^purveyor to the forces, who was much indebted 
for the essential service and protection afforded 
to him and his stores, by this detachment of our 
Legion ; the British under Captain Tuckett 
having at this time made a retrograde movement 
in the direction of Moraleja and Zarza Mayor 
by night. 

Captain Lillie, finding he was unable to effect 
a junction with Sir Robert Wilson and his own 
corps, and understanding Marshal Beresford's 
army to be in motion along the Portugueze fron- 
tier, reported to him how he was circumstanced 
with a detachment of the Legion, in consequence 
of which he received a communication from the 
Marshal, to endeavour, if possible, to join the 
British army across the Tagus, by advancing in 
the direction of Placentia, which had again been 
evacuated by the enemy, and to acquaint him 
and the troops in his rear of any important move- 
ments of the enemy : and this detachment was 
again saved from being cut off the very day they 
were to have entered Placentia, as it happened, 

the 



( 95 ) 



the enemy returned to it with thirty thousand 
men, of which Captain Lillie receiving timely in- 
formation, retired upon Sir William BeresfoixTs 
army. Captain Lillie ordered forty thousand 
rations to be ready at Galisteo, as he passed, for 
this Portugueze army, which had the effect of 
inducing a detachment of the enemy's cavalry, 
who had advanced there, to retire, and who 
carried with them this false report to the French 
head-quarters. 

Captain Lillie, with this detachment of the 
corps, remained in advance of the Portugueze 
army for some days, until the enemy made some 
demonstrations of attacking Marshal Beresford, 
when the Marshal ordered Captain Lillie's de- 
tachment to retire, and placed it under the com- 
mand of Colonel John Wilson, with whom it 
remained until this Portugueze army had re- 
tired into Portugal, and then it was again uni- 
ted to the main body of the Legion at Castello 
Branco. 

The British and Portugueze armies went into 
cantonments in the month of September, the 
former south of the Tagus, and the latter to the 
north of that river, in the interior of the coun- 
try, 



( 96 ) 



try, with the exception of the Legion, which re- 
mained in advance on the frontier. 

Sir Robert Wifson and Colonel Mayne had 
both obtained a short leave of absence for the 
purpose of going to England to make a satisfac- 
tory arrangement, if possible, respecting the 
Loyal Lusitanian Legion in Portugal, that corps 
having hitherto been paid, clothed, and ap- 
pointed by the British government exclusively, 
and not like the other part of the Portugueze 
army, to which it had never been attached ; but 
as it vvas not perfectly understood on what esta- 
blishment it was to be considered, Sir Robert 
Wilson proceeded to England for a decision on 
this important point : — but, in the mean time, 
while both armies were enjoying a relaxation 
from the severities of active service, in the in- 
terior of the country, and the Portugueze were 
continuing to be organized under Marshal Be- 
resford and the British officers, it was the fate 
of the Lusitanian Legion to experience the se- 
vere effects of their uncertain establishment; and 
in the absence of Sir Robert Wilson the priva- 
tions resulting therefrom, which might also have 
proceeded from a little jealousy in a certain 
powerful quarter, but which was a very ungrate- 
ful return for its past exertions in the general 

service 



( 97 ) 

service of Spain and Portugal, which undoubt- 
edly had gained the corps the admiration of the 
two armies in the Peninsula, together with the 
esteem and gratitude of both these nations. 
Surely the Loyal Lusitanian Legion did not de- 
serve to be left neglected on the barren frontiers 
in the neighbourhood of Castello Branco, which 
country was exhausted in point of provisions by 
the different large armies which had lately 
moved in that direction, or to be deprived of the 
other advantages which the rest of the Portu- 
gueze army were then enjoying with respect to 
their comforts, clothing, appointments, &c. &c. 
which the Legion from its past services equally 
required. From these circumstances it is easily 
to be imagined in what state the Lusitanian Le- 
gion naturally appeared after a few months, 
being badly provided with rations, and'in per- 
fect want of all kinds of necessaries, clothing 
and appointments. Their drilling and disci- 
pline oh the British system was likewise at this 
time much neglected, Marshal Beresford having 
declined to acknowledge or confirm the appoint- 
ments of the British officers of the corps who 
had served with it ever since its organization, 
and prevented their pay being issued for their 
services, notwithstanding that the pay of thePor- 
tugueze officers and soldiers who belonged to 

h the 



( 98 ) 



the corps was at this period issued from the 
Portugueze treasury. 

In the month of December following, some 
information officially arrived, that Sir Robert 
Wilson had effected an arrangement with the 
British government, by which the Loyal Lusi- 
tanian Legion was to be placed on the British 
establishment; consequently a communication 
was made to Lord Wellington by the govern- 
ment at home, requiring a report from his Lord- 
ship, with his opinion of the appearance, disci- 
pline, and utility of the corps previous to the 
conclusion of the arrangements that were at this 
time promised to Sir Robert Wilson. 

It was conceived his Lordship had some rea- 
sons for not wishing to interfere on this occa- 
sion ; and that, from a judicious regard to the 
feelings of the Portugueze army in general, he 
chose to avoid making any distinction in favour 
of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion, and he referred 
the communications to Marshal Beresford, desi- 
ring him, as more immediately connected with 
the Portugueze army, to make and forward the 
report of the state of the Loyal Lusitanian Le- 
gion at that period, for the satisfaction of the 
British government : thus the Marshal was af- 
forded 



( 99 ) 



forded an opportunity of satisfying any desire 
or wishes he might have entertained with respect 
to the corps, which had acquired the esteem 
and confidence of the nation long before he ar- 
rived to take the command. 

The report his Excellency Marshal Sir Wil- 
liam Beresford undersuch circumstances thought 
proper to make of the Legion after General Ha- 
milton's return from Castello Branco, where he 
had been dispatched for the purpose of the corps 
inspection, may be easily imagined ; and though 
the selection could not have fallen on a more 
able, active, or intelligent officer, yet it was 
impossible that the Legion could appear in an 
effective state, after having been so long neg- 
lected in every respect. 

Such, however, was the report transmitted 
by Marshal Beresford, that the project of placing 
the Legion on the British establishment was 
frustrated, and in consequence of this result, 
Sir Robert Wilson and Colonel Mayne did 
not return, which was universally regretted, 
not only by their own corps, but by the Portu- 
gueze nation. After this the corps was brought 
further into the interior of Portugal, with the few 
British officers that at this time remained, who 
h 2 were 



( ioo ) 



were considerably disheartened and dissatisfied 
after their active services to find themselves so 
little attended to. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, a very deserving 
and promising officer, was employed by Lord 
Wellington in obtaining information of the ene- 
my's movements, &c. the others (who were 
neither permitted by the Marshal hitherto to 
hold their respective ranks in the Legion, or to 
join their British regiments) were detached about 
the country, not well knowing what to do with 
themselves under this extraordinary and unde- 
served neglect. After some time had elapsed 
they were gazetted in their respective ranks, and 
ordered to march with the corps to Thomar, where 
it received the clothing and appointments which 
had some time before been sent from Eng- 
land : here each battalion was recruited and 
completed to 1000 strong, preparatory to their 
formation as regiments of Portugueze Caca- 
dores, and an additional number of British offi- 
cers was attached to them. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Hawkshaw commanded 
the corps at Thomar for some time, until Baron 
Eben was again appointed in Sir Robert Wilson's 
place. The Legion now formed part of a divi- 
sion 



( ioi ) 



sion which was formed at Thomar under Major- 
General Leith, covering the centre of Portugal; 
and Lord Wellington was opposed to the ene- 
my's corps in the vicinity of Ciudad Rodrigo, 
which were preparing for the invasion of Portu- 
gal, while General Hill's corps was in the province 
of Alemtejo ; and this was the disposition of the 
allied British and Portugueze armies previous to 
the fall of the garrisons of Almeida and Ciudad 
Rodrigo, and the subsequent advance into Por- 
tugal of the French army under the command of 
Marshal Massena. 

The Legion continued at Thomar until a 
corps of the French army under .General Reg- 
nier made a threatening movement on the cen- 
tre of Portugal, when (he first battalion of the 
Legion was ordered out in advance to take pos- 
session of the passes and fords of the river Ze- 
zere # in front of Thomar, from the town of 

* A peasant of amazing muscular strength became so anoy- 
ing to the enemy on the banks of the Zezere, that they offered 
a large reward for his head. This man was accustomed to 
penetrate the enemy's encampments. He killed upwards of 
30 men with his own hands, and captured 50 horses and 
mules. He lived in a cave in the mountains, but brought his 
booty to the allied camp to be sold. He was a most deter- 
mined brave looking fellow, and continued his predatory war- 
fare as long as the enemy remained in his country. 

h 3 Punhete 



( 102 ) 



Punhete on the right, to the Barco de Codes 
on the left. Here this battalion remained under 
the command of Captain Lillie until the entire 
of General Leith's division moved forward 'to 
occupy the passes of Saint Domingo, when this 
battalion joined the advance under Brigadier- 
General Madden of the Portugueze cavalry, the 
infantry of which Lieutenant-Colonel Hawk- 
shaw commanded. At this period the division 
of General Regnier having made a more deter- 
mined movement in front of General Leith's di- 
vision, General Hill's division moved to the 
north of the Tagus, in order to oppose any at- 
tempt of the enemy in that quarter. But the 
enemy declining any farther threats, the Legion 
returned with General Leith's division to Tho- 
mar, where nothing of importance for some time 
occurred. 

The enemy soon after this united the differ- 
ent corps of his army for the purpose of enter- 
ing Portugal, while the allies made correspond- 
ing movements to form a junction for his oppo- 
sition, which junction was effected conformable 
to the judicious arrangements of the commander 
in chief Lord Wellington, in the neighbourhood 
of Busaco, where the detached divisions of the 
allied army under Generals Hill and Leith, uni- 
ted 



( 103 ) 



ted to the main body, on its arriving at that 
formidable position. 

Marshal Massena attacked, on the morning of 
this junction, the allied forces, with what was 
stiled the army of Portugal ; and on this occa- 
sion the allies obtained a most brilliant and glo- 
rious victory.* General Leith's division particu- 
larly distinguished itself in the engagement, by 
a gallant charge of the bayonet on a column of 
the enemy, which had succeeded in gaining the 
heights on the right, but was instantly routed 
from it by the gallantry of General Leith and 
his division, composed of the 1st, 9th, and 38th 
British infantry regiments — of the 8th regiment 
of Portugueze infantry, and the Loyal Lusita- 
nian Legion. 

The conduct of the Portugueze troops here 
was eminently conspicuous ; the Loyal Lusita- 
nian Legion, and the 8th Portugueze regiment, 
which had never before been engaged, joined in 
the charge of the bayonet under the command 
of Lieutenant- Colonel Douglas and Major Bir- 
mingham as gallantly as if they had been vete- 
rans. The enemy's attack on the left had like- 



Vide Appendix, N. 
H 4 



wise 



( 104 ) , 

wise been successfully repulsed, the other Por- 
tugueze troops equally distinguishing them- 
selves, and especially the 19th regiment under 
Colonel MBean, which' charged the enemy by 
itself in a most gallant and successful manner. — 
Five companies of the 19th Portugueze regi- 
ment, under the immediate command of Colo- 
nel M'Bean, having made a charge with the 
bayonet on the enemy, which was particularly ad- 
mired by all the officers of both the armies who 
saw it, as an act of most perfect gallantry, 
both on account of the discipline and the cou- 
rage which these young troops displayed. 

After the enemy had been thus repulsed in all 
the quarters against which he directed his at- 
tacks, he did not attempt to renew the engage- 
ment, but made a movement to the right along 
the Sardao road, which winds round the left of 
the position of Busaco, leading to Coimbra: in 
consequence Lord Wellington moved the allies 
from the heights of Busaco across the river Mon- 
dego, not deeming it advisable to expose his 
army to another attack from such superior num- 
bers until his arrival at the lines which were per- 
fectly constructed to intercept any movement 
on Lisbon ; they extended from the Tagus on 
the right to the ocean on the left, and their na- 
tural 



( 105 ) 



tural strength was rendered still more formi- 
dable by the assistance of art, strong works hav- 
ing been erected to secure the weaker points, 
and chains of batteries and redoubts formed on 
the commanding heights, so well provided with 
heavy ordnance as to threaten the immediate de- 
struction of any advancing enemy. The French 
light field artillerv could be of little avail against 

to xi to 

the strength and range of these powerful forts, 
whose superiority consisted, not only in the 
weight of their numerous ordnance, but likewise 
in their being erected on such commanding and 
formidable situations that no works of the enemy 
could be constructed, or even attempted in their 
vicinity. 

It is here worthy of observation, that the 
French army had advanced in full confidence 
that they were pursuing the British to their 
ships, and anticipating the laurels they should 
obtain by driving their opponents into the sea; 
but on their arrival before these lines,*' they 
were struck with universal terror at the idea of 
attacking them, nor was their dismay lessened 
by the reflection on the manner in which the 

* Vide Appendix, O. 

bayonets 



( 106 ) 



bayonets of the allies had been used at the glo- 
rious battle of Busaco a few days before. 

Marshal Massena consequently appearing to 
decline any attack on these lines, remained irre- 
solute in the front of them, while he made a re- 
port to Buonaparte of his unexpected situation, 
and inability to advance, not only from the 
strength of the position of the allies, but also 
from the want of provisions, and that he must 
ultimately be obliged to retreat. 

Nothing of importance occurred during the 
period of the enemy's stay in front of these lines, 
until he retired by Santarem, having remained 
until the country was quite exhausted of all 
kinds of provision, which reduced him to the 
necessity of commencing a general retreat,* 
which was followed up with such activity and 

success 

* On the evening of the first of March a Portugueze boy 
wag taken in Abrantes with a considerable quantity of hams, 
tea, sugar, &c. &c. which he had purchased, but for whom 
he felt some difficulty in declaring ; on being carried before 
the governor, and minutely interrogated, he confessed he was 
servant to the commanding officer of the French 66th regiment ; 
and that he had been sent to purchase these articles as the 
French army was retiring to the north of Portugal. He said 
Massena was to review the troops the next day (2d March) ; 

and 



( 107 ) 



success on the part of Lord Wellington's army 
and the allies, that out of the French army, 
composed of one hundred thousand men, on 
their entering Portugal a few months before, 
Marshal Massena on his arrival on the frontiers 
of Spain, could not muster above half that 
number. 

Lord Wellington saw the Legion, and inspect- 
ed it himself for the first time when attached to 
the sixth division at Alemquer, in February, 
1811; and after a most minute inspection, and 
seeing them go through some evolutions, march 
past, &c. &c. his Lordship expressed his sur- 
prise at the fine appearance of the corps, stating 
that he had hitherto been led to entertain quite 
a different idea with respect to it from the re- 
ports that had been made to him ; and he parti- 
cularly admired their fine soldier-like appear- 
ance, and observed to Lieutenant-Colonel Doug- 
las, who happened to have the temporary com- 
mand of the Legion on that day, " that they 
carried their arms like soldiers, and, in their 
' tout ensemble, looked like veterans. During 

and that the retreat would commence the 5th. The French 
troops were so reviewed at Montalbo, and the retreat com- 
menced,';as he stated, on the 5th of March. 

the 



( 108 ) 



the active pursuit of Marshal Massena's* army 
the battalions of the Legion were separated, the 
1st joined the 4th division, on its being ordered 
from the British army to reinforce the troops 
under Marshal Beresford in the Alentejo: — 
the 2d battalion joined the 5th division, and 
remained with Lord Wellington, which after- 
wards distinguished itself in the engagement at 
Fuentes d' Honor, f under the command of Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Offley, who was appointed to it 
from the 23d Fuzileers. This 2d battalion, 
(formerly called Baron E ben's Runaways, ) when 
a column of the enemy manifested an intention 
of getting round the left of the allied army, en- 
gaged at Fuentes d' Honor, by crossing the 
river Duas Casas, at Aldea de Bispo, on the 6th 
of May, was ordered to ford the river under the 
enemy's fire, and dislodge him from a height 
which he had taken possession of on the oppo 
site side of the river, which service was exe- 
cuted in a most gallant and satisfactory man- 
ner ; and this battalion afterwards, under the 
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hawkshaw, 
signalized itself most particularly in the south, 
when joined to that part of the allied army that 

* Vide Appendix, P. 
f Vide Appendix, Q. 

was 



( 109 ) 



was entrusted to the command of Marshal Beres- 
ford during the absence of General Hill. This 
battalion sustained a great loss in the sieges 
of Olivenza and Badajos :* at the latter of which 
it lost four subalterns and a piquet one night, 
by a sudden and unexpected sortie from the 
garrison ; and its loss at the hard contested bat- 
tle of Albuerat exceeded considerably that of 
the entire of the Portugueze troops on that me- 
morable day : and this battalion was called for- 
ward (previous to the important advance of the 
4th division at Albuera.) and attached to the 
gallant Fuzileer Brigade, under the command of 
the much to be lamented Sir William Myers, 
who received a mortal wound a few minutes 
after the success of this spirited advance of the 

* Badajos, a frontier town, is the capital of the province, 
and strongly fortified. It is famous for a bridge built by the 
Romans over the Guadiana. It i* a bishop's see, and obVj 
three leagues from the Portugueze town of Eivas ; which gar- 
rison, with its dependencies La Lippe, and Santa Lucia, is 
unquestionably the strongest fortress in Portugal, but the 
works of the place itself are too extensive. The French, aware 
of the great consequence of Badajos, have added to the 
strength of its works; and having fortified it more regularly, 
have certainly made it a fortress that altogether cannot be 
considered of little importance in the southern campaign of 
Spain. 

t Vide Appendix, R. 

allies, 



( no ) 



allies, and died thus gloriously, after a short, but 
truly honourable life. 

To the great services of this distinguished 
brigade, on that memorable day, may be justly 
attributed the victory of Albuera, for at the criti- 
cal period of its advance, and brilliant charge, the 
enemy, having already obtained possession of the 
rising grounds occupied by the allied force at 
the commencement of the engagement, were 
from thence obliged to retreat with considerable 
loss. 

The fate and fortune of that day did not ap- 
pear previously to promise so favourable a result. 
The enemy's cavalry had made considerable ha- 
ve ck among the British infantry, which unfor- 
tunately had not been formed in a manner to 
enable those brave fellows to repulse the attempt 
that was made to break through them, and the 
French cavalry, aided by the Polish lancers, had 
dispersed them ; and our enemy seemed from 
these successes to be certain of our defeat. But 
as the last effort, and only hope, the Fuzileer 
Brigade advanced in line, having its right flank 
covered from the enemy's cavalry by a Portu- 
gueze brigade, which was repeatedly charged 
by those Polish lancers, who were as often re- 
pulsed 



( 111 ) 



pulsed without touching a man of them } with 
considerable loss. 

The Lusitanian Legion fought on the left 
wing for some time. The enemy maintained 
his ground on the heights flanked by artillery 
which kept up a tremendous fire on us, and as 
we advanced, did considerable execution ; but 
at length, on our coming within a ffew yards of 
the columns they gave way with the greatest 
precipitation, notwithstanding the exertions of 
their officers to prevent it; and our brave fel- 
lows who survived the charge pursued them and 
drove them over three successive hills, strewing 
the grounds they fled over with their killed and 
wounded, after which the enemy did not again 
attempt to advance. 

The Fuzileer Brigade and Loyal Lusitanian 
Legion, which did not exceed three thousand 
men when they advanced to the charge, could 
not muster one thousand effective men, when 
they formed on the rising grounds from which 
they had driven the enemy. Sixty officers, and 
two thousand men, including General Cole, who 
commanded the division, and Sir William Myers, 
who commanded the brigade, and every lieute- 
nant 



( 112 ) 

nant-colonel and field officer was either killed 
or wounded. 

The enemy commenced a retreat the next day, 
but did not evacuate the ground he occupied 
previous to the action for two days afterwards, 
having left some select troops there to make a 
front to deceive our army, while he marched 
off his artillery, baggage, and prisoners to his 
rear. 

This action was supposed to have been the 
hardest fought of any that ever was recorded 
in the annals of history, for the time it lasted, 
and one which threatened, during the early part 
of the contest, to tarnish the honour of the 
British arms more than any engagement for the 
last century ; for we had nearly lost the victory 
with very superior numbers ; this never could 
have happened before in any of the engage- 
ments on the Peninsula since the commence- 
ment of these campaigns, for in all the other 
general actions the enemy had considerably 
the superiority in numbers; and to nothing 
but the brilliancy and determined courage 
of the charge made by the light brigade, 
and the Loyal Lusitanian Legion, is to be 
attributed this signal victory, which added a 

lustre, 



( ns ) 



lustre, in the room of disgrace, to the British 
arms, and which shone with such new splen- 
dour, that the unfortunate gloom that hovered 
over the probable result of the previous part of 
the contest, was lost altogether in the bright- 
ness of this gallant achievement. 

All the Portugueze staff, and particularly Ma- 
jor-General D'Urban and Lieutenant-Colonel 
Harding, aided greatly on this memorable occa- 
sion, and encouraged their troops while they saw 
a British soldier stand. It was here the indivi- 
dual bravery of the soldiery and platoon officers 
so strongly manifested itself by continuing to 
advance with unabated ardour and steadiness, 
after their commanding officers had been mow- 
ed down, and while the line was raked so ter- 
ribly by the destructive fire of the enemy's 
grape and musketry, which appeared only to 
increase if possible, their enthusiasm, steadiness, 
and perseverance. 

The Spaniards fought bravely at the com- 
mencement of the action, and were the first 
troops who happened to be engaged ; however, 
they were forced to yield, being overpowered by 
an immense division of the enemy which at- 

i tacked 



( 114 ) 



tacked the part of the line they were ordered to 
occupy. 

It was to be regretted, that the allied troops 
at the battle of Albuera, derived so little ad- 
vantage from any plan or generalship on the part 
of the Commander-in-chief, while the gallantry 
of the commanders of the divisions, who were 
under the necessity of taking things as they 
found them, fought their brave heroes so 
successfully, under the greatest disadvan a- 
ges : and it was still more to be regretted, 
that the Portugueze troops (with the excep- 
tion of those attached to the fuzileer divi- 
sion,) were not afforded an opportunity of par- 
taking in the heat of the engagement. They 
would have been of the most considerable im- 
portance to the impending fortune of the first 
part of the day. A fine body of men, well offi- 
cered, anxious to engage, must have tended 
materially to render this victory much more 
complete, and would have prevented, in a great 
degree, the immense and irreparable effusion 
of British blood, for there was not a British batta- 
lion in the field that clay, that could muster after 
the engagement one half of the complement it 
brought into the field, and many could not pro- 
duce 



( m ) 



duce one fourth of their number ; and the first 
battalion of the Lusitanian Legion was the only 
Portugueze regiment whose loss corresponded 
with that of the British. Why were not the 
Portugueze intermixed with the British troops 
on this occasion, as had been hitherto judici- 
ously done, and most perfectly approved of on 
former occasions ? Instead of this, they were 
incautiously formed into a division by them- 
selves, under the command of General Hamil- 
ton, (a doubt of whose skill and talent could not 
certainly be the reason for their not being per- 
mitted to join in the heat of the action,) and left 
inactive spectators of the contest. Brigadier 
General Harvey's Portugueze brigade, (which 
formed part of the 4th division, and protected 
the right of the Fuzileer Brigade,) manifested 
considerable steadiness and discipline on being- 
charged by the enemy's cavalry, which had no 
effect on them, and proved the service of these 
brave allies to be worth the trial. 

The loss of the allied army in this most san- 
guinary conflict was computed to be six thou- 
sand killed and wounded. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Hawkshaw commanded 



the 



I 116 ) 



the first battalion of the Loyal Lusitanian Le- 
gion through this trying day, and was himself 
severely wounded. 

The Commander in Chief had it officially no- 
tified to Lieutenant-Colonel Hawkshaw, that 
this battalion of the Legion had so eminently 
distinguished itself at the battle of Albuera, and 
every individual of the corps had acquitted him- 
self with so much gallantry and honour, that 
they deserved, and should have his thanks in 
general orders ; and he requested that the names 
of the officers who had survived the day should 
be given in, that they might be immediately 
promoted ; which strong mark of gracious ap- 
probation would have been particularly pleasing 
to their feelings, if on a former occasion, after the 
battle of Alcantara, the same promise had not 
been totally neglected, and the heroes of that 
memorable day (all but) disgraced by dark and 
insinuative abuse. Sir Robert Wilson was not 
at the battle of Alcantara. 

Thus ended the services of the patriotic and 
brave officers and soldiers who composed the 
Loyal Lusitanian Legion, who were shortly af- 
terwards formed into Cacadore battalions, and 

their 



( J!7 ) 



their name and uniform so changed that the 
existence of the corps can hardly be traced in 
the present Portugueze army. 

The corps retained its military character to 
the last ; and as its vital spark was extinguished 
so soon after the battle of Albuera, it may be 
justly said, that it gloriously died there, regain- 
ing the trophies of that uncertain day, and main- 
taining, to the last, its character and renown in 
its untimely end : and the patriots of Spain and 
Portugal, and of every power interested in these 
active campaigns of the allied army on the Pe- 
ninsula must regret the dissolution of a corps, 
which not only thus gloriously upheld the no- 
ble and warlike spirit of Lusitania in four suc- 
cessive campaigns, but which also was the means 
in more uncertain and disastrous times, in the 
year 1808, of proving to the Portugueze nation, 
and the world at large, that there was enough 
of this ancient spirit in the body of the Portu- 
guese people to form a regular and efficient 
army, to be the glory of their country and al- 
lies, and the terror of their enemies. 



i 3 APPENDIX. 




1 



APPENDIX, A. 



A short Memoir of the celebrated Portugueze 
Patriot, the Venerable Bishop oj Oporto. 

THIS patriot, whose character is here present- 
ed to the public, D. Fr. Antonio de S. Jose Cas- 
tro, Bishop of Oporto, and Patriarch elect of 
Lisbon, is son of Count de Resende, one of the 
most illustrious families of Portugal, a descend- 
ant of the famous Portugueze warior the gover- 
nor of India, D. Joao de Castro. To the other 
titles of his family is annexed that of honorary 
high admiral. 

Early in life D. Antonio applied himself to the 
studies requisite to qualify him for the church; 
but renouncing all the brilliant prospects which 
his family connections opened to his view, he 
quitted the world, and entered into a convent of 
the religious order of St. Bueno ; an order nei- 
ther numerous nor rich, and one of those religi- 
ous societies into which many of the abuses, al- 
most inseparable from such communities, have 
i 4 not 



APPENDIX, 



A. 



not yet crept. D. Antonio soon gained the es- 
teem of his brethren by his private virtues, and 
he arrived at the highest office which they had 
the power of conferring, being appointed gene- 
ral, or general superintendant, of the convents 
of his order. This could not long be conceal- 
ed from the world ; and his merits being known 
at court, he was called by the sovereign from 
his convent, and appointed, the 13th Novem-* 
ber, 1793, Bishop of Porto, the second city in 
rank, population, and riches, in the kingdom 
of Portugal. 

He was assiduously engaged in performing 
the functions of his sacred ministry, when the 
people of that city rising against the French, 
successively deposed and imprisoned three go- 
vernors appointed in the confusion occasioned 
by the taking up of arms to expel the enemy, 
who was then in possession of the country 
The treachery, real or supposed, of several offi- 
cers, had rendered the people so suspicious, that 
there was scarcely any military officer to whom , 
they could look with confidence sufficient to ap- 
point him their leader. The Bishop then was 
thought of; and by the almost unanimous and 
simultaneous voice of the people, he was pro- 
claimed president of the Junta for the manage- 
ment 



APPENDIX, A. 121 



nient of public affairs at that critical moment; 
and he was, moreover, hailed as the saviour of 
the country, by all the provinces of the north, 
and many of the south. Animated by his ex- 
ample, the Portugueze were preparing to attack 
Lisbon, and drive the French out of the coun- 
try; a daring idea, the mere conception of 
which, without the execution, would confer ho- 
nour on its authors. But they did not stop at 
inactive speculations : the Bishop of Porto sent 
two deputies to the court of England, to solicit 
arms and other necessaries to put his plans in 
execution ; and at the same time, he spared no 
labour or application to call forth the resources 
of the country, as if no foreign succours were to 
be expected ; hereby shewing both his courage 
and prudence. 

General Dalrymple, after the convention of 
Cintra, new modelled the council of the regency 
of the kingdom ; and no sooner was the form of 
government established, than the Bishop, resign- 
ing his authority by a spu ited and patriotic pub- 
lication, submitted to that government ; and his # 
example insured the obedience of the people, 
which otherwise would have been found an ex~ 
tremely difficult task, though the whole of the 
English army was then kept in Portugal, per- 
haps 



122 



APPENDIX, A. 



haps for that purpose alone. Nothing could 
more clearly demonstrate the good use which he 
made of his popularity, than his efforts to con- 
ciliate the people of Porto to the government in 
Lisbon ; for the inhabitants of the former place 
openly refused to send money or other effects to 
the metropolis, and even to allow the bishop him- 
self joining that regency, of which be had been 
appointed a member. If the private virtues of 
this prelate had brought him into the notice of 
the nation, his public virtue, in his new capa- 
city, endeared him to the people, and his influ- 
ence was beyond any thing that power or autho- 
rity could obtain. The almost continued tu- 
mults of the populace, who suspected as traitors 
most of the persons in distinguished situations ; 
the wickedness of those who availed themselves 
of this ferment to gratify their criminal passions 
the necessity of arming and preparing the means 
of defence against enemies enraged at what 
thev called a wanton rebellion : the want of 
means to obtain provisions, arms, ammunition, 
and money, rendered the new situation of the 
episcopal president most arduous and laborious ; 
he, however, destitute of every resource except 
the confidence which the people reposed in him, 
caused a line of defence to be erected round the 
city, from the Douro to the sea ; and in this 

extensive 



APPENDIX, A. 



123 



extensive line were planted two hundred and ten 
ffuns. These works be«;an to be erected in the 
middle of January, 1809, and in March they 
received the attacks of the enemy. This ex- 
pensive undertaking cost nothing to govern- 
ment ; and though the exertions of the people 
in this instance are to be attributed to their pa- 
triotism, it is clear that this good disposition 
would have been of no avail, had such a leader 
been wanting. In fact, the most indolent could 
not resist the example of a venerable prelate, 
rising early every morning, and repairing im- 
mediately to the works, animating, cheering, and 
encouraging the men. He organized the peo- 
ple, dividing them into companies and brigades; 
appointed officers ; exercised them, and, aided 
by good advisers, did all that could have been 
expected from an experienced general. When 
we consider the wide difference between his 
former profession, and his duties at this crisis, it 
must be allowed, that his exertions deserve the 
highest admiration. 

The French army, commanded by Marshal 
Soult, arrived at length before the city, and 
prepared to storm it. The French general sent 
a flag of truce with a summons to the city ; and 
when the Portugueze ceased their fire in order 

to 



124 APPENDIX, A. 

to receive the messenger, the French, with their 
usual treachery, caused their troops to advance 
under cover of this deception. The Bishop, on 
perceiving this artifice, immediately gave the 
word, and two hundred and ten guns of differ- 
ent calibres opened at once upon the French co- + * 
lumns. 

The Bishop refused to listen to their proposi- 
tion to surrender. 

The enemy, however, were successful in their 
attacks on one of the advanced batteries, and 
would probably have succeeded in taking it, 
had not the presence of the bishop animated the 
people, and the exertions of some English offi- 
cers of his suite been ably employed in directing 
the efforts of these irregular troops. 

I'he French were thus driven out of the reach 
of cannon, and the bishop returning to the city 
from this successful enterprize, was hailed, as 
was to be expected, by all the people, with the 
loudest acclamations, and every possible de- 
monstration of respect. He was to be seen 
every where on horseback, animating the troops, 
prompting the men to work, and diffusing con- 
fidence wherever he went. 

When, 



APPENDIX, A. 



125 



When the French returned to the attack, the 
insufficiency of the works, which were not quite 
finished, and the want of regular troops for the 
defence of such an extensive line, were soon per- 
ceived : but notwithstanding: all those disadvan- 
tages, the Bishop mounted the ramparts, and 
shared the danger with his companions in arms, 
many of whom were killed and wounded by his 
side. 

After the entrance of the French into Opor- 
to the Bishop was, on the 2d of January, 1809, 
honoured by his sovereign with the appoint- 
ment of Patriarch of Lisbon, and a member of 
the council of regency,, to the universal satis- 
faction of the Portugueze, who, being witnes- 
ses of his merit, were gratified by the justice of 
his rewards. 



APPENDIX, 



APPENDIX, B. 



THE PRIVATE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BRITISH 
ARMY ENTERING PORTUGAL AND SPAIN. 

Lord Castlereagh to Lieut. General Sir Arthur 
JVellesley, K. B, 

Sir, 

THE occupation of Spain and Portugal by the 
troops of France, and the entire usurpation of 
their respective governments by that power, has 
determined his Majesty to direct a corps of his 
troops, as below stated,* to be prepared for ser- 

* Troops placed under the command of Lieutenant-General 



Sir Arthur Wellesley: — 




5th Foot 


990 


9th - - 


833 


38th 


957 


40th 


843 


60th 


936 


71st 


903 


9lst 


917 


95th 4 Companies 


400 


R. V. B. 4 Bn. 


737 


20th Light Dragoons. 


300 


Total 


7816 



vice, 



APPENDIX, B. 



127 



vice, to be employed under your orders in coun- 
teracting the designs of the enemy, and in 
affording the Spanish and Portugueze nations 
every possible aid in throwing off the yoke of 
France. 

You will receive inclosed, the communications 
which have been made by the deputies of the 
principality of Asturias, and the kingdom of 
Gallicia, to his Majesty's government, together 
with the reply which his Majesty has directed 
to be made to their demand of assistance. 

I also enclose a statement of the supplies 
which have been already dispatched to the port 
of Gijon, for the use of the people of Asturias. 

As the deputies from the above provinces do 
not desire the employment of any corps of his 
Majesty's troops in the quarter of Spain, from 
whence they are immediately delegated, but 
have rather pressed, as calculated to operate a 
powerful diversion in their favour, the impor- 
tance of directing the efforts of the British 
troops to the expulsion of the enemy from Por- 
tugal, that the insurrection against the French 
may thereby become general throughout that 
kingdom, as well as in Spain, it is therefore 

deemed 



128 APPENDIX, B. 

deemed expedient that your attention shall be 
immediately directed to that object. 

The difficulty of returning to the northward 
with a fleet of transports, at this season of the 
year, renders it expedient that you should, in 
the first instance, proceed with the armament 
under your orders, off Cape Finisterre. You 
will, yourself, precede them in a fast sailing 
frigate to Corunna, where you will have the best 
means of learning the actual state of things both 
in Spain and Portugal, and of judging how far 
the corps under your immediate orders, either 
separately or reinforced by Major-General Spen- 
cer's, can be considered as of sufficient strength 
to undertake an operation against the Tagus. 

If you should be of opinion, from the infor- 
mation you may receive, that the enterprize in 
question cannot be undertaken without waiting 
for reinforcements from home, you will commu- 
nicate, confidentially, to the provisional govern- 
ment of Gallicia, that it is material to the 
interest of the common cause that your arma- 
ment should be enabled to take an anchorage to 
the northward of the Tagus, till it can be sup- 
ported by a farther force from home ; and you 
will make arrangements with them for having 

permis- 



APPENDIX, B. 



129 



permission to proceed with it to Vigo, where it is 
conceived it can remain with not less security 
than in the harbour of Ferrol, and from which 
it can proceed to the southward with more faci- 
lity than from the latter port. 

In case you should go into Vigo, you will 
send orders to Major- General Spencer to join 
you at that place, should he have arrived off the 
Tagus in consequence of the enclosed orders; 
(Letter to Major-General Spencer,) and you 
will also transmit home, such information as 
may enable his Majesty's ministers to take mea- 
sures for supporting your corps from hence. 

With a view to the contingency of }^our force* 
together with General Spencer's, being deemed 
unequal to the operation, an additional corps of 
10,000 men has been ordered to prepare for ser- 
vice, and which, it is hoped, may be ready to 
proceed in about three weeks from the present 
time. 

I enclose such information as we are in pos- 
session of with respect to the enemy's force in 
Portugal, a considerable proportion of which is 
said to have been lately moved to Almeida, on 
the north-eastern frontier. 

K You 



130 



APPENDIX, B« 



You will, no doubt, be enabled to obtain more 
recent information at Corunna, in aid of which, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Browne has been ordered to 
proceed to Oporto, and to meet you with such 
intelligence as he can procure off Cape Finis- 
terre. 

An officer of engineers, acquainted with the 
defences of the Tagus, has also been sent off the 
Tagus to make observations, and to prepare in- 
formation for your consideration, with respect 
to the execution of the proposed attack on the 
Tagus. The result of his inquiries he will be 
directed to transmit, also, to the rendezvous off 
Cape Finisterre, remaining himself off theTagus 
till your arrival. 

You are authorized to give the most distinct 
assurances to the Spanish and Portugueze peo- 
ple, that his Majesty, in sending a force to their 
assistance, has no other object in view than to 
afford them the most unqualified and disinter- 
ested support, and in any arrangements that you 
may be called on to make with either nation in 
the prosecution of the common cause, you will 
act with the utmost liberality and confidence, 
and upon the principle that his Majesty's endea- 
vours are to be directed to aid the people of 

Spain 



APPENDIX, B. 



131 



Spain and Portugal in restoring and maintain- 
ing against France, the independence and in- 
tegrity of their respective monarchies. 

In the rapid succession in which events must 
be expected to follow each other, situated as 
Spain and Portugal now are, much must be left 
to your judgment and decision on the spot. 

His Majesty is graciously pleased to confide 
to you the fullest discretion to act according to 
circumstances, for the benefit of his service, and 
you may rely on your measures being fairly in- 
terpreted, and receiving the most cordial sup- 
port. 

You will facilitate, as much as possible, com- 
munications between the respective provinces 
and colonies of Spain, and reconcile, by your 
good offices, any differences that may arise be- 
tween them in the execution of their common 
purpose. 

Should any serious division of sentiment occur 
with respect to the nature of the provisional 
government, which is to act during the present 
interregnum, or with respect to the Prince, in 
whose person the legal authority is considered as 

k 2 vested. 



132 



Appendix, 



vested, by the captivity or abdication of certain 
members of the Royal Family, you will avoid, as 
far as possible, taking any part in such discus- 
sions, without the express authority of your 
government. You will, however, impress upon 
the minds of persons in authority, that, consis- 
tently with the effectual assertion of their inde- 
pendence, they cannot possibly acknowledge 
the king or prince of Asturias as at present pos- 
sessing any authority whatever, — or consider 
any act done by them as valid till they return 
within the country, and become absolutely free 
agents; that they never can be considered free 
agents so long as they shall be prevailed on to 
acquiesce in the continuance of French troops 
either within Spain or Portugal — the entire and 
absolute evacuation of the Peninsula by the 
troops of France being, after what has lately 
passed, the only security for Spanish indepen- 
dence, and the only basis upon which the Spanish 
nation should be prevailed on to treat, or to lay 
down their arms. 

I have the honour to be, &c. 
(Signed) CASTLEREAGH. 

To Lieut en ant-General Sir 
Arthur Wellesley, §c. SfC. $?c. 

By 



APPENDIX, B. 



133 



By Lord Burgherst, about to proceed to the 
scene of action, the following was quickly after 
conveyed. 

Lord Castlereagh to Lieut. -General Sir Arthur 
Wellesley, July 15, 1808. 

Downing-Street, July 15, 1808. 

Sir, 

Since my despatches to you of the 30th ult. 
marked secret, Nos. 1 and 2, the inclosed intel- 
ligence has been received from Major- General 
Spencer, with respect to the state of the enemy's 
force in Portugal. 

The number of French troops immediately in 
the vicinity of Lisbon, (so far as this information 
can be relied on,) appearing much more consi- 
derable than it was before reported to be by Sir 
Charles Cotton, his Majesty has been pleased 
to direct a corps of 5000 men, consisting of the 
Regiments below stated, 



Reinforce- 



134 



APPENDIX, B. 



Reinforcements under Brigadier General 
Ackland* 

Ramsgate. Harwich. 

9th Foot 2d. Bat. 675 Queen's . 813 

43 „ 861 20th Foot . . 689 

52 . . 858 95th 2d. Bat. 180 

97 • • 769 2Comp. Art. . 200 
Total 5045. 

to be embarked, and to proceed without loss of 
time, to join you off the Tagus. 

His Majesty has been farther pleased to direct, 
that the troops under Lieutenant-General Sir 
John Moore, which are arrived from the Baltic, 
as soon as they are refreshed, and their trans- 
ports can be revictualled, should also proceed 
without delay off the Tagus, 

The motives which have induced the sending 
so large a force to that quarter are : 

1st. To provide effectually for an attack upon 
the Tagus; and 2d. To have such an addi- 
tional force disposable, beyond what may be in^ 
dispensibly requisite for that operation, as may 

admit 



APPENDIX, B. 



135 



admit of a detachment beino* sent to the south- 
ward, either with a view to secure Cadiz, if it 
should be threatened by the French force under 
General Dupont, or to co-operate with the 
Spanish troops in reducing that corps, if cir- 
cumstances should favour such an operation, 
or any other that may be concerted. 

His Majesty is pleased to direct, that the at- 
tack upon the Tagus should be considered as 
the first object to be attended to. As the whole 
force (of which a statement is inclosed,) when 
assembled, will amount to not less than 30,000 
men, it is conceived that both services may be 
amply provided for; the precise distribution as 
between Portugal and Andalusia, both as to 
time and proportion of force, must depend on 
circumstances to be judged of on the spot; and 
should it be deemed advisable to fulfil the assur- 
ance which Lieutenant-Generai Sir Hew Dal* 
rymple appears to have given to the Supreme 
Junta of Seville, under the authority of my de- 
spatch of — ~, that it was his Ma- 
jesty's intention to employ a corps of his troops, 
to the amount of 10,000 men, to co-operate with 
the Spaniards in that quarter; a corps of this 
magnitude may, I should hope, be detached 
without prejudice to the main operation against 

K 4 th© 



136 



APPENDIX, B. 



the Tagus ; and may be reinforced according to 
circumstances after the Tagus has been secured. 
But if previous to the arrival of the force under 
orders from England, Cadiz should be seriously 
threatened, it must rest with the senior officer 
off the Tagus, at his discretion, to detach, upon 
receiving a requisition to that effect, such an 
amount of force as may place this important 
place out of the reach of immediate danger, even 
though it should for the time suspend operations 
against the Tagus, 

As the force which may be called for on the 
side of Cadiz, can only require a field-equipment, 
the ordnance-preparation, which has been sent 
with a view to the reduction of the Tagus, will 
remain at that station. 

With the exception of the ordnance-prepara- 
tion sent for the attack of the forts on that 
river, it has not been deemed necessary to en- 
cumber the army at present with any larger 
detail of artillery than what belongs to a field- 
equipment, with a proportion of horses. 

Exclusive of the period for which the trans- 
ports are provided, a due proportion of victual- 
lers will accompany the armament, which, with 

the 



APPENDIX, B. 



137 



the supplies which may be expected to be de- 
rived from the disposition and resources of the 
country, it is conceived will remove all diffi- 
culty on this head, so long as the army shall 
continue to act near the coast. 

The great delay and expence that would at- 
tend embarking, and sending from hence all 
those means which would be requisite to render 
the army completely movable immediately on 
its landing, has determined his Majesty's govern- 
ment to trust in a great measure to the resources 
of the country for these supplies. 

There is every reason to believe, from the 
ardour of the inhabitants both of Spain and Por- 
tugal, that so soon as a British army can esta- 
blish itself on any part of the coast, not only 
numbers will be anxious to be armed and arrayed 
in support of the common cause, but that every 
species of supply which the country produces 
for subsisting and equipping an army, will be 
procurable. It therefore becomes the first 
object for consideration, (if a direct and imme- 
diate attack upon the defences of the Tagus 
cannot in prudence be attempted,) on what part 
of the coast between Penichfe on the North, and 
St. Ubes on the South of that river, a position 

can 



138 



APPENDIX, B. 



can be taken up by the British army, in which 
its intercourse with the interior may be securely 
opened, and from whence it may afterwards 
move against the enemy, endeavouring, if pos- 
sible, not only to expel him from Lisbon, but to 
cut off his retreat towards Spain. 

A proportion of cavalry, as far as the means pf 
transport exist, will accompany the troops which 
can be hereafter increased, according as circum* 
stances shall point out. 

I have, &c. 
(Signed) CASTLEREAGH. 

To Lieut en ant -General Sir 

Arthur Wellesky, K. B. SfC. SfC. fyc. 



The ensuing commission to the senior officers 
deemed necessary to this command, took place 
agreeable to their dates. 

Lord Viscount Castlereagh to Lieut. -General Sir 
Arthur TVellesley, K. B. July 15. 
# 

Downing-Street, loth July, IS08. 

Sir, 

I am to acquaint you that his Majesty has 
been pleased to entrust the command of his 

troop* 



APPENDIX, B. 



139 



troops serving on the coasts of Spain and Por- 
tugal, to Lieutenant-General Sir Hew Dalrym- 
ple, with Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Burrard 
second in command. 

The Lieutenant-General has been furnished 
with copies of his instructions up to the present 
date inclusive. These instructions you will be 
pleased to carry into execution with every expe- 
dition that circumstances will permit, without 
awaiting the arrival of the Lieutenant-General. 
And should you be previously joined by a senior 
officer, you will in that case communicate to him 
your orders, and afford him every assistance in 
carrvino- them into execution. 

I am, Sec. 

(Signed) CASTLEREAGH. 

To Lieutenant-General Sir 

Arthur Wellesley, K. B. S-c. &-c. <Vc« 

Lord Viscount Castlereagh to Lieut. -General Si?* 
Arthur IVellesley, K. B. July 21. 

Dovning-Street, 21st July, 1808. 

SiPt, 

Ix the event of vour deeming it mav be ad- 
vantageous, that the troops now proceeding from 

England 



140 



APPENDIX, B. 



England should be disembarked at any point 
on the coast of Portugal north of the Tagus, I 
am to suggest to you the propriety of your 
requesting Sir C. Cotton to station one of his 
cruizers to the northward of the Berlings, with 
such information as you may deem material to 
communicate to the senior officer in command 
of the troops ; and I shall intimate to the offi- 
cers in charge of the troops proceeding from 
hence, that they should be prepared at that 
point to receive an intimation from you of the 
actual state of things in the Tagus. 

1 am, &c. 

(Signed) CASTLEREAGH. 

To Lieutenant -General Sir 
Arthur WeUesky, fyc. SfC SfC. 

Downing-Street, 30th June, 1808. 

Referring to my despatch of the 28th inst. 
I am to convey to you the king's pleasure, that 
you do proceed, on receipt of this, off the Tagus, 
there to join the corps under Sir Arthur Wel- 
lesley, and to place yourself under his orders. 

You will consider yourself, however, as autho- 
rized 



APPENDIX, B. 



141 



nzed to suspend the execution of this order, in 
case your corps should be engaged on any ser- 
vice more to the southward, which, in your 
judgment, it is of importance to his Majesty's 
interest should not be abandoned. 

I have, &c. 

(Signed) CASTLEREAGH. 

To Major-General Spencer, 
tic. SfC. S) C. 



The orders of Sir Arthur Wellesley have al- 
ready, in their places, been detailed ; those of 
his superiors are as follows : 

DoiL-ning-Street, 2\st July, 1808, 

Sir, 

His Majesty having been graciously pleased 
to select you to serve under Lieutenant-General 
Sir Hew Dalrymple, as second in command of 
his forces to be employed in Portugal and Spain, 
I am to signify to you his Majesty's pleasure, 
that vou do forthwith embark in one of his 
Majesty's ships, (the Audacious) prepared for 
your reception at Portsmouth, and proceed off 
the Tagus. 

I em 



142 



APPENDIX, B. 



I enclose for your information and guidance, 
copies of the instructions which have been given 
to Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, the 
execution of which is to devolve upon the senior 
officer for the time being, of the troops assem- 
bled off the coast of Portugal. 

As it is not probable that Lieutenant-General 
Sir Hew Dalrymple can arrive for some time 
from Gibraltar, to take upon himself the com- 
mand of the troops in person, you will use your 
endeavours to carry his Majesty's commands, 
without loss of time, into effect. 

You will observe that the operations of the 
army, are intended to be directed in the first 
instance, to the reduction of the Tagus ; and 
secondly, to the security of Cadiz, and the de- 
struction of the enemy's force in Andalusia. 
These important objects being accomplished, it 
is his Majesty's pleasure, that the senior officer 
in command of his troops, do act according to 
circumstances, as the good of his Majesty's ser- 
vice and the advancement of the common cause 
may appear to him to require, till such time as 
he receives farther instructions from him for the 
direction of his conduct; which instructions 

shall 



APPENDIX, B. 143 

shall be transmitted, without loss of time, so 
soon as his Majesty's government, from the 
movements of the French armies, are prepared to 
decide in what manner the services of the British 
troops can be best directed for the annoyance of 
the enemy. 

I am, &c. 

(Signed) CASTLEREAGH. 

To Lievtenant-G eneral Sir 
Marry Burrard, SfC. fyc. fyc. 



That the necessities of the service were not 
neglected by the British ministry, will appear 
from the following note, meeting already the 
want of cavalry in the British army for this 
service. 

Downing-Street, 2d Aug. 1808. 

Sir, 

I enclose for your information, intelligence 
received from Lieutenant-Colonel Browne, and 
Captain Trant, of the state of affairs in the north 
of Portugal. 



I have 



APPENDIX. 



B. 



I have directed Brigadier-General Stewart 
with the 18th Light Dragoons, to call off Oporto 
for orders, as it is not impossible, if Lieutenant- 
General Sir Arthur Wellesley should have landed 
and taken a position in the interior, that you 
may wish to support him with a cavalry. 

I have, &c. 

(Signed) CASTLEREAGH. 

To Lieutenant-General Sir 
Harry Burrard, SfC. fyc. fyc. 



To Sir John Moore, recently returned from 
Lisbon, with the only remaining disposable force 
of Britain under his command, the following 
were the orders : 

Downing-Street, 2\stJuly 7 1808. 

Sir, 

So soon as the troops under your orders are 
victualled, and in a fit state to proceed to sea, 
it is his Majesty's pleasure that they do proceed, 
without delay, off the Tagus. 

Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, who 
is now off that port, if not in possession of it, 

has 



APPENDIX, B. 



145 



has been directed to transfer to any senior 
officer who may arrive, the instructions which 
he has received, in the execution of which it is 
his Majesty's command, that such senior officer 
should proceed, as far as circumstances will 
permit, without loss of time. 

Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Burrard is or- 
dered to embark forthwith for the same destina- 
tion ; upon joining him you will place yourself 
under his orders, in the absence of Lieutenant- 
General Sir Hew Dalrymple, whom his Majesty 
has been graciously pleased to nominate to the 
chief command of his troops serving in Portu- 
gal and Spain. 

I write this to you in case Sir Harry Burrard 
should not arrive in time to proceed by the 
Audacious. 

I am, &c. 

(Signed) CASTLEREAGR 

To Lieutenant-General Sir 

John Moore, K. B. #c. fyc. fyc. 



It 



English 



146 APPENDIX, B. 



English Force according to the Official Reports- 
STATEMENT. 

Force under General Spencer. 

Artillery 269 

Royal Staff Corps 48 

6th Regt. 1st Battalion . . 1,020 

29th . 863 

32d 941 

50th ............ 1,019 

82d 991 

5,151 



Force under Sir A. Wellesley. 



5th Foot, 1st Battalion . . 990 

9th 833 

38th . . . 957 

40th 843 

60th 936 

71st 903 

91st. 917 

95th, 4 Companies 400 

Royal Veteran Bat. 4 Bat. 737 

36th Foot, 1st Battalion. . 647 

45 th 599 

8,762 

Also 



APPENDIX, B. 



147 



Also a detachment of the 20th Light Dra- 
goons, about 300. 

With the forces comprised in the preceding 
statement, and the Portugueze whom he armed, 
Sir A. Wellesley commenced his march, expect- 
ing the arrival of the following force, about to 
embark from Ramsgate, forming General An- 
struther's brigade : — 



9th Foot, 2d Battalion ... 675 

43d . 861 

52d 858 

97th 769 

3,163 



To embark from Harwich, forming, chiefly, Ge- 
neral Ackland's Brigade. 



'to- 



Queen's 913 

20 th 689 

95th, 2 Companies .... 180 

1,672 

Force witkSir J. Moore. 

English. 

4th Foot, 1st Battalion . . 1,006 

28th ............ 1,087 

l 2 79tb, 



148 APPENDIX, B. 

79th . 913 

92d 927 

95th . . 300 

4,23S 

Germans. 

3d Light Dragoons .... 597 
1st Batt. Light Infantry . . 930 

2d 916 

1st Battalion Line 942 

2d . . 770 

5 th 779 

7th . 697 

52d, 1st Battalion 1,000 

— 6,631 

To join Force under Sir John Moore. 
18th Light Dragoons ....... 640 

30,262 

To join from Madeira one Regiment under 
the command of Major- General Beresford. 

TOTAL. 

Infantry 29,025 

Cavalry 1,537 

20th Light Dragoons 300 



30,862 

317 



APPEXDIX, B. 



149 



317 artillery, included in infantry-return of 
Major-General Spencer's Corps. 

The other artillery-returns not received. 



French Force in Portugal, as stated by three 
Hanoverian Deserters, and chiefly confirmed. 

22dJune, 1S0S. 

In Lisbon and the neighbourhood. 



French Infantrv. 



Total. 



15th Regiment, 2 Batt. . 
66th do. 1 do. . . 

70th do. 4 do. .. . 

82d do. 2 do. . . 

86th do. 3 do. . . 



800 
3,000 

800 
2,000 



800 



■ 7,400 



French Cavalry. 



3d Regt. 
9th do. 




asseurs a Cheval .... 2,000 



Foreign Infantry. 



Hanoverian Legn. 1st Batt. 800 
Swiss do. do. ... 800 



1,600 



L 3 



In 



150 



APPENDIX, B. 



In St. Ubes, (Setuval,) and the Forts on the 
southern side of the Tagus. 



31st Regt.j Chass. r 1 Batt. 800 

32d do. ( mostl y ] 1 do. 800 
J Italian, <- 



1,600 



Troops marched on the eastern Frontiers of Por- 
tugal. 

86th, 1 Battalion 700 

26th, 2 do. . 1,000 

— 1,700 

Foreign Infantry. 

Legion de Neiale ..... 800 

3 Battalions of Swiss . . . 2,400 

3,200 

In some Part of Portugal unknown to the De- 
serters. 

47th Regiment, 4 Battalions .... 3,000 
Total ...... 20,500 

. ^ ^ _.v* C disarmed at Lisbon, and in 
3d Regt. Span. Inf.) ... i , , r» 

. p ' r . < Prison on board the Kus- 

lst do. Cavalry / 01 . 

J Lsian Ships. 

150 



APPENDIX, B. 



151 



150 Russians are landed from each ship> and 
doing duty in Lisbon. Very little French artil- 
lery in Portugal. 

General Junot strengthening the Citadel of 
Lisbon. 



(A TRUE COPY.) 



(Signed) 



G. W. TUCKER, 



Lieut-Colonel. 



l 4 



APPENDIX 



( 152 ) 



APPENDIX, C. 



The Convention of Cintra. 

Head- Quart ers f Cintra^ Sept. 3, 1808. 

My Lord, 

I have the honour to inform your Lordship, 
that I landed in Portugal and took the com- 
mand of the army on Monday the 22d of Au- 
gust, the next day after the battle of Vimiera, 
and where the enemy sustained a signal defeat; 
where the valour and discipline of British troops, 
i and the talents of British officers, were eminent- 
ly displayed. 

A few days after my arrival, General Keller- 
man came in with a flag of truce from the French 
general- in -chief, in order to propose an agree- 
ment for a cessation of hostilities, for the pur- 
pose of concluding a convention for the evacu- 
ation of Portugal by the French troops. The 
inclosed contains the several articles at first 
agreed upon and signed by Sir Arthur Wellesley 
and General Kellermann ; but as this was done 

with 



APPENDIX, C. 



153 



with a reference to the British admiral, who, 
when the agreement was communicated to him, 
objected to the seventh article, which had for 
its object the disposal of the Russian fleet in 
the Tagus, it was finally concluded that Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Murray, quarter-master-generai 
to the British army, and General Kellermann, 
should proceed to the discussion of the remain- 
ing articles, and, finally, to conclude a conven- 
tion, for the evacuation of Portugal, subject to 
the ratifications of the French general-in-chief, 
and the British commanders by sea and land, 

After considerable discussion, and repeated re- 
ference to me, which rendered it necessary for- 
me to avail myself of the limited period latterly 
prescribed for the suspension of hostilities, in 
order to move the army forwards, and to place 
the several columns upon the routes by which 
they were to advance, the convention was 
signed, and the ratification exchanged, the 30th 
of last month. 

That no time might be lost in obtaining; 
anchorage for the transports and other shipping, 
which had, for some days, been exposed to great 
peril on this dangerous coast, and to insure the 
communication between the armv and the vie- 

tuallers, 



154 



i 

APPENDIX, C. 



tuallers, which was cut off bv the badness of 
the weather and the surf upon the shore, I sent 
orders to the Buffs, and the 42d regiment, which 
were on board of transports with Sir C. Cotton's 
fleet, to land and take possession of the forts on 
the Tagus, whenever the admiral thought it pro- 
per to do so ; this was accordingly carried into, 
execution yesterday morning, when the forts of 
Cascais, St Julien, and Bugio, were evacuated 
by the French troops, and taken possession of by 
ours. 

As I landed in Portugal entirely unacquainted 
with the actual state of the French army, and 
many" circumstances of a local and incidental 
nature, which, doubtless, had great weight in 
deciding the question, my own opinion in fa- 
vour of the expediency of expelling the French 
army from Portugal, by means of the conven- 
tion the late defeat had induced the French ge- 
neral-in-chief to solicit, instead of doing so by 
a continuation of hostilities, was principally 
founded on the great importance of time, which 
the season of the year rendered peculiarly valu- 
able, and which the enemy could easily have 
consumed in the protracted defence of the 
strong places he occupied, had terms of con- 
vention been refused him. 

When 



APPENDIX, C. 155 

When the suspension of arms was agreed 
upon, the army under Sir John Moore had not 
arrived, and doubts were even entertained whe- 
ther so ]ar2;e a bodv of men could be landed on 
an open and a dangerous beach ; and, that being 
effected, whether the supply of so large an army 
with provisions from the ships could be provided 
for under all the disadvantages to which the 
shipping were exposed* 

During the negociation the former difficulty 
was overcome by the activity, zeal, and intelli- 
gence of Captain Malcolm, of the Donegal, and 
the officers and men under his orders ; but the 
possibility of the latter seems to have been at 
an end nearly at the moment it was no longer 
necessary. 

Captain Dalrymple, of the 18th Dragoons, 
my military secretary, will have the honour of 
delivering to your Lordship this dispatch. He 
is fully informed of whatever has been done 
under my orders relative to the service on which 
I have been employed, and can give any expla- 
nation thereupon that may be required. 
I have the honour to be, &c. 
(Signed) HEW DALRYMPLE, 

Lieut-General. 

The Right Hon. Lord Vise. Castkreagk, SfC. 

Suspeyision 



APPENDIX, C. 

Suspension of Arms agreed upon between Lieu- 
tenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, K. B. 
on the one part, and the General of Division, 
Kellermann, Grand Officer of the Legion of 
Honour, Commander of the Order of the Lron 
Crown, and Grand Cross of the Order of the 
Lion of Bavaria, on the other part, each hav- 
ing powers from the respective Generals of the 
French and English Armies. 

Head-Quarters of the English Army, August 22, 1808. 

Art. I. There shall be, from this date, a sus- 
pension of arms between the armies of his Bri- 
tannic Majesty and his Imperial and Royal Ma- 
jesty Napoleon I. for the purpose of negociating 
a convention for the evacuation of Portugal by 
the French army. 

Art. II. The Generals-in-Chief of the two 
armies, and the Commander-in-Chief of the 
British fleet at the entrance of the Tagus, will 
appoint a day to assemble on such part of the 
coast as shall be judged convenient, to negociate 
and conclude the said convention. 

Art. III. The River of Siraudre shall form 
the line of demarcation to be established be- 
tween the two armies : Torres Vedras shall not 
be occupied by either. 

Art. 



APPENDIX, C. 



157 



Art. IV. The General-in- chief of the En- 
glish army undertakes to include the Portugueze 
armies in this suspension of arms, and for them 
the line of demarcation shall be established from 
Leyria to Thomar. 

Art. V. It is agreed provisionally that the 
French army shall not, in any case, be considered 

AS PRISONERS OF WAR j THAT ALL THE INDI- 
VIDUALS WHO COMPOSE IT SHALL BE TRANS- 
PORTED to France, with their arms and 

BAGGAGE, AND THE WHOLE OF THEIR PRIVATE 
PROPERTY, FROM WHICH NOTHING SHALL BE 
EXCEPTED.* 

Copy of the Definitive Convention for the Eva- 
cuation of Portugal by the French Army. 

The generals commanding in chief the Bri- 
tish and French armies in Portugal, having de- 
termined to negociate and conclude a treaty for 
the evacuation of Portugal by the French troops, 
on the basis of the agreement entered into on, 
the 22d instant, for a suspension of hostilities, 
have appointed the under-mentioned officers to 
negociate the same in their names, viz. on the 

* The reader must imagine this a dream ! but it is too true! 

part 

i 



158 



APPENDIX, C. 



part of the General-in-Chief of the British army, 
Lieutenant- Colon el Murray, Quarter-Master- 
General ; and on the part of the General-in- 
Chief of the French army, Monsieur Keller- 
mann, General of Division ; to whom they have 
given authority to negoeiate and conclude a 
convention to that effect, suhject to their ratifi- 
cation respectively, and to that of the Admiral 
commanding the British fleet at the entrance of 
the Tagus. 

Those two officers, after exchanging their full 
powers, have agreed upon the articles which fol- 
low. 

Apt. I. All the places and forts in the king- 
dom of Portugal, occupied by the French 
troops, shall be delivered up to the British army 
in the state in which they are at the period of 
the signatures of the present convention. 

Art. II. The French troops shall evacuate 
Portugal with their arms and baggage ; they 
shall not be considered as prisoners of war, and, 
on their arrival in France, they shall be at liber- 
ty to serve. 

Art. Ill, The English government shall fur- 
nish 



APPENDIX, C. 



159 



nish the means of conveyance for the French 
army, which shall be disembarked in any of the 
ports of France between Rochfort and L'Orient 
inclusively. 

Art. IV. The French army shall carry with 
it all its artillery of French calibre, with the 
horses belonging to it, and the tumbrils supplied 
with 60 rounds per gun. All other artillery, 
arms, and ammunition, as also the military and 
naval arsenals shall be given up to the British 
army and navy in the state in which they may 
be at the period of the ratification of the con^- 
vention. 

Art. V. The French army shall carry with 
it all its equipments, and all that is compre- 
hended under the name of property of the army ; 
that is to say, its military chests, and carriages 
attached to the field-commissariat and field-offi- 
cers, or shall be allowed to dispose of such part of ' 
the same on its account as the commander-in- 
chief may judge it unnecessary to embark. In 
like manner, all individuals of the army shall be 
at liberty to dispose of their private property of 
every description, with full security hereafter for 
the purchasers. 



Art. 



160 APPENDIX, C. 

Art. VI. The cavalry are to embark their 
horses, as also the generals and other officers of 
all ranks. It is, however, fully understood, that 
means of conveyance for horses, at the disposal 
of the British commanders, are very limited ; 
some additional conveyance may be procured in 
the port of Lisbon. The number of horses to 
be embarked shall not exceed 600, and the num- 
ber embarked by the staff shall not exceed 1200. 
At all events, every facility will be given to the 
French army to dispose of the horses belonging 
to it which cannot be embarked. 

Art. VII. In order to facilitate the embarka- 
tion, it shall take place in three divisions, the 
last of which will be principally composed of 
the garrisons of the places, of the cavalry, the 
artillery, the sick, and the equipment of the 
army. The first division shall embark within 
seven days of the elate of the ratification, or 
sooner, if possible. 

Art. VIII. The garrison of Elvas and its 
forts, and of Peniche and Palmela, wili.be em- 
barked at Lisbon ; that of Almeida at Oporto, 
or the nearest harbour ; they will be accompa- 
nied on their march by British commissaries, 

charged 



APPENDIX, C. 



161 



charged with providing for their subsistence and 
accommodation. 

Art. IX. All the sick and wounded, who 
cannot be embarked with the troops, are en- 
trusted to the British army ; they are to be 
taken care of, whilst they remain in this, country, 
at the expense of the British government, under 
the condition of the same being reimbursed by 
France when the final evacuation is effected ; 
the English government will provide for their 
return to France, which will take place by de- 
tachments of about 150 or 200 at a time; a 
sufficient number of French medical officers 
shall be left behind to attend them. 

ApvT. X. As soon as the vessels, employed to 
carry the army to Frauce, shall have disem- 
barked it in the harbours specified, or in any 
other of the ports of France to which stress of 
weather may force them, every facility shall be 
given them to return to England without delay, 
and security against capture until their arrival in 
a friendly port. 

Art. XI. The French army shall be concen- 
trated in Lisbon, and within a distance of about 
two leagues from it. The English army will ap- 

m proach 



APPENDIX, C. 



proach within three leagues of the capital, and 
will be so placed as to leave about one league 
between the two armies. 

Art. XII. The forts of St. Julian, the Bugio, 
and the Cascais, shall be occupied by British 
troops on the ratification of the convention. 
Lisbon and its citadel, together with the forts 
and batteries as far as Lazaretto, or Trafuria, on 
one side, and Fort St. Joseph on the other, in- 
clusively, shall be given up on the embarkation 
of the second division, as shall be also the har^ 
bour and all armed vessels in it of every descrip- 
tion, with their rigging, sails, stores, and ammu- 
nition. The fortresses of Eivas, Almeida, Peni- 
ch6, and Palmela, shall be given up as soon as 
the British troops can arrive to occupy them. 
In the mean time, the General-in-Chief of the 
British army will give notice of the present con- 
vention to the garrisons of those places, as also 
to the troops before them, in order to put a stop 
to all further hostilities. 

Art. XIII. Commissaries shall be named on 
both sides to regulate and accelerate the execu^ 
tion of the arrangements agreed upon. 



Art. XIV. Should there arise doubts as to 

the 



APPENDIX, C. 



163 



the meaning of any article, it will be explained 
favourably to the French army. 

Art. XV. From the date of the ratification 
of the present convention, all arrears of contri- 
butions, requisition, or claims whatever, of the 
French government, against subjects of Portu- 
gal, or any other individual residing in this 
country, founded on the occupation of Portugal 
by the French troops in the month of Decem- 
ber, 1807, which may not have been paid up, are 
cancelled, and all sequestrations laid upon their 
property, moveable or immoveable, are removed, 
and the free disposal of the same is restored to 
the proper owners. 

Art. XVI. All subjects of France, domici- 
liated in Portugal, or accidentally in this coun- 
try, shall be protected. Their property of every 
kind, moveable or immoveable, shall be re- 
spected, and they shall be at liberty either to ac- 
company the French army, or to remain in Por- 
tugal ; iu either case their property is guaranteed 
to them, with the liberty of retaining or of dis- 
posing of it, and passing the produce of the sale 
thereof into France, or any other country where 
they may fix their residence, the space of one 
year being allowed them for that purpose, 

M 2 It 



164 APPENDIX, C. 

It is fully understood that the shipping is ex- 
cepted from this arrangement only, however, in 
so far as regards leaving the port, and that none 
of the stipulations above-mentioned can be 
made the pretext of any commercial speculation. 

Art. XVII. No native of Portugal shall be 
rendered accountable for his political conduct 
during the period of the occupation of this 
country by the French army; and all those who 
have continued in the exercise of their employ- 
ments, or who have accepted situations under 
the French government, are placed under the 
protection of the British commanders; they 
shall sustain no injury in their persons or proper- 
ty, it not having been at their option to be obe- 
dient or not to the French government: they 
are also at liberty to avail themselves of the sti- 
pulations of the 16th Article. 

Art. XVIII. The Spanish troops, detained 
on board ship in the port of Lisbon, shall be 
given up to the Commander-in-Chief of the 
British army, who engages to obtain of the Spa- 
niards to restore such French subjects, either 
military or civil, as may have been detained in 
Spain, without being taken in battle, or in con- 
sequence of military operations, but on occasion 

of 



APPENDIX, C. 



165 



of the occurrences of the 29th of last May, and 
the day immediately following. 

Art. XIX. There shall be an immediate ex- 
change established for all ranks of prisoners 
made in Portugal, since the commencement of 
the present hostilities. 

Art. XX. Hostages of the rank of field of- 
ficers shall be mutually furnished on the part of 
the British army and navy, and on that of the 
French army, for the reciprocal guarantee of the 
present convention. 

The officer of the British army shall be re- 
stored on the completion of the articles which 
concern the army ; and the officer of the navy 
on the disembarkation of the French troops in 
their own country. The, like is to take place on 
the part of the French army, 

Art. XXI. It shall be allowed to the General- 
in-Chief of the French army to send an officer 
to France with intelligence of the present con- 
vention. A vessel will be furnished by the Bri- 
tish admiral to convey him to Bordeaux or 
Rochfort. 



XXII. 



166 



APPENDIX, C. 



XXII. The British admiral will be invited to 
accommodate his Excellency the Commander- 
in-Chief, and the other principal officers of the 
French army, on board of ships of war. 

Done and concluded at Lisbon, this 30th day 
of August, 1808. 

GEORGE MURRAY, 

Quarter-Master-General. 

KELLERMANN, 

Le General de Division. 

We, the Duke of Abrantes, General-in-Chief 
of the French army, have ratified, and do rati- 
fy, the present definitive convention, in all its ar- 
ticles, to be executed according to its form and 
tenor. 

(Signed) LE DUC D'ABRANTES. 

Head-Quarters, Lisbon, 
Aug. 30, 1808. 

Additional Articles to the Convention of 
August 30th, 1808. 

Art. I. The individuals in the civil employ- 
ment of the army made prisoners, either by the 
British troops or by the Portuguese, in any part 



APPENDIX, (J. 



167 



of Portugal, will be restored, as is customary, 
without exchange. 

Art. II. The French army will be subsisted 
from its own magazines up to the day of em- 
barkation : the garrisons up to the day of the 
evacuation of the fortresses* 

The remainder of the magazines shall be de- 
livered over in the usual form to the British go- 
vernment, which charges itself with the subsis- 
tence of the men and horses of the army, from 
the above-mentioned periods, till their arrival in 
France, under the condition of their being re- 
imbursed by the French government, for the ex- 
cess of the expense beyond the estimation to be 
made by both parties, of the value of the maga- 
zines delivered up to the British army. 

The provisions on board the ships of war, in 
possession of the French army, will be taken on 
account by the British government, in like man- 
ner with the magazines in the fortresses. 

Art. III. The General commanding the Bri- 
tish troops will take the necessary measures for 
re-establishing the free circulation of the means 
m 4 of 



i 



l6S APPENDIX, C. 

of subsistence between the country and the ca- 
pital. 

Done and concluded at Lisbon, 
this 30th day of August, 1808. 

GEORGE MURRAY, 

Quarter-Master General. 

KELLERMANN, 

Le General de Division. 

We, Duke of Abrantes, General-in-chief of 
the French army, have ratified, and do ratify, 
the additional articles of the convention, to be 
executed according to their form and tenor, 

LE DUG D'ABRANTES. 
(A true copy.) 

A. J. DALRYMPLE, 

Capt. Mil. Secretary. 

Sir H. Dairy mple to the Commander-in-Chief 
of the French Army, 

Head-Quarters, Ramalhal, 25M Jug. 1808. 

Sir, 

The admiral commanding the British fleet on 
the coast of Portugal cannot agree to the ques- 
tion respecting the disposal of the Russian fleet 
in the Tagus being in any manner brought un- 
der 



APPENDIX, C 



169 



der discussion on the basis of the 7th article of 
the agreement for the suspension of hostilities 
entered into with your excellency, with a view 
to adjusting a convention for the evacuation of 
Portugal by the French troops. 

I feel myself, however, fully authorised to as- 
sure your excellency, that the objection on the 
part of the British admiral does not proceed from 
any desire to push to the utmost the advanta- 
ges which the actual state of the war in this 
quarter might present to the British forces. 

Admiral Sir C. Cotton was put in possession, 
of instructions from the British government, re- 
specting the line of conduct to be observed to- 
wards the Russian fleet in the Tagus, at a pe- 
riod when circumstances of a nature different 
from those now existing, induced the expecta- 
tion that the Russian fleet might be under the 
necessity of leaving the port of Lisbon, and the 
British admiral is ready now to enter on a direct 
discussion of the subject with Admiral Siniavin 
on the same grounds. 

The intimate connection which so very lately 
existed between the British government and that 
of Russia, as well as the personal regard which 

the 



170 



APPENDIX, G. 



the British admiral entertains for Admiral Sinia- 
vin, leaves little room to doubt of an under- 
standing acceptable to both being the result of 
a communication between them. 

(Signed) 

W. H. DALRYMPLE, 

Commander of the British forces in Portugal. 

To His Excellency the Commander in Chief 
of the French army in Portugal. 

General Friere, to Sir Hew Dairy mple. 

Head-Quarters at Encamacao y Sept. 2, 1808. 

Most illustrious and excellent Sir, 

Having been informed by Major Ay res Pinto 
deSouza, by means of a confidential communi- 
cation, of the articles of capitulation between 
the British and French armies, which are said to 
be signed, but of which I have not hitherto re- 
ceived any official copy, although expected ; 
and having heard that the articles do not differ 
substantially from those proposed in the armis- 
tice, respecting which the major made some re- 
presentations to your excellency, verbally, by my 
orders, and also some observations tending to 
save the honour, dignity, and interests, of the 
Portugueze nation : 

It 



APPENDIX, C. 



171 



It is my duty to declare to your excellency, 
that as I have not been consulted on, or privy 
to this negociation, in which I suppose this 
country is concerned, I consider myself exempt 
from all responsibility which might have been 
imputed to me in this transaction. 

The present situation of the army here, not 
admitting me to remain all the time necessary 
for the conclusion of the negociation ; and per- 
ceiving the English columns advancing, with- 
out my having any communications of their 
movements, or indication to co-operate towards 
entering the capital, I have to expect from your 
excellency an explanation on the subject for my 
guidance. 

I must observe to your excellency, that, in 
this said capitulation, there does not appear to be 
any notice taken of the troops commanded by 
Monteiro Mor do Runo, which are in Alentejo, 
nor of the Spanish army which marches in the 
same province, on the banks of the Tagus, as 
your excellency will perceive by the copy of a 
letter from their general (Don Joseph Galluza,) 
which I trausmit, and who came to assist this 
kingdom, it possibly may not be the intention 

to 



APPENDIX, C. 



liberate the prisoners that still remain in the 
power of the French army. 

God preserve your excellency, &c. 

BERN. FRIERE DE ANDRADA. 

To the Commander in Chief of the 
British Army. 

[TRANSLATED FROM THE PORTUGUESE.] 

Memorial on the principal Inconveniences which 
are found in the Convention agreed on between 
the English and the French Armies for the 
Evacuation of Portugal, wherein is stated mi- 
nutely those Circumstances of the worst Con- 
sequences as to this Country. 

Not any thing can be more favourable to the 
French, and consequently more prejudicial to 
the general cause of Europe, which the British 
government profess to aid, than to render the 
people mistrustful respecting the true motives 
which actuate that government. 

The French will, on all occasions, exert means 
to excite suspicions against the views of the 
English government; the conduct of Spain, by 
having refused, hitherto, to admit undefinedly, 
British troops into her dominions, notwithstand- 
ing the risk she run, proved highly her mistrust 

in 



APPENDIX, C. 



173 



in that respect. Amongst ourselves the French 
partizans have secretly spread this want of con- 
fidence, with an intention that, during any mo- 
ment of ferment, those who came as auxiliaries 
may be considered as oppressors. Under such 
circumstances, nothing can concur more to frus- 
trate the intrigues of the French, than the most 
prompt declaration of the intentions of the Bri- 
tish government, which we are well satisfied can- 
not be otherwise than to restore complete, and en- 
tire, this country and all its dependencies, to the 
Prince Regent of Portugal, their faithful ally, 
who has the unanimous voice of his people ; and 
for whom they will expose themselves to all the 
evils which might attend this determination, in 
like manner as they did before they had any as- 
sistance from the English, and had no other 
than their own forces to contend against those 
of the enemy, their oppressors. But, at this mo- 
ment, what is wanting, and particularly interest- 
ing, is a declaration of the intentions, which will 
prevent evil-designing persons from profiting by 
appearances, to impede the grand and noble de- 
signs of Great Britain. Permit me to say that, 
from the terms in which the treaty is conceived, 
it may draw into an error, not only the Portu- 
gueze, but the Spaniards, and produce the un- 
fortunate and dreadful effect which I have al- 
ready 



174 



APPENDIX, C. 



ready pointed out; on which account imme- 
diate measures should be taken to destroy such 
impressions. 

The British army cannot, and should not, be 
considered in this country in any other light 
than an auxiliary army; and as such they were 
applied for, by the provisionary government of 
this country ; in like manner it is necessary that 
it should be still considered, let its strength be 
what it will, to avoid exciting mistrust, which 
Mould impede its ulterior progress. 

Under these circumstances, any treaty which 
was to be discussed with the French, should 
have been done in conjunction with the govern- 
ment of that country, which called the British 
army to its assistance, or at least, ought to 
have been done with its particular approbation, 
should the delicacy of the terms have prevented 
the arrangement being made public. 

Nothing of this sort has been clone, but rather, 
on the contrary, stipulations are made, which 
never can be effected by military compulsion and 
its authority, unless in a Conquered country; such 
as are contained in the articles 16 and 17, and in 
the first additional article, which stipulate that 

the 



APPENDIX, C 



m 



the garrisons of the sea-ports, the arsenals, and 
naval forces belonging to the Portugueze, and 
in possession of the French, shall be delivered 
up to the British troops, without declaring, at 
the same time, that such surrender was provi- 
sional, and meant to be restored to their legiti- 
mate sovereign, nor was it expressed, in any 
part whatever, that the restoration of the go- 
vernment was the object in view. 

Therefore, to avoid the mistrust which such 
appearances may excite, and which the French 
will not fail to promote, it appears to be highly 
necessary, that his excellency the commander 
in chief of the British army should declare, as 
soon as possible, that the occupying the garri- 
sons, arsenals, and other public establishments, 
as also the naval forces belonging to this king- 
dom, was solely a provisional measure, to avoid 
the contact of the Portugueze and French forces, 
for the purpose of preventing the effects of re- 
sentment, which might lead to acts endangering 
the fulfilment of the capitulation agreed on. But 
that, on such danger ceasing, the said objects 
should be delivered up to the prince Regent of 
Portugal, or to the government which repre- 
sented him ; and that they should be garrisoned 
by Portugueze troops, retaining only such Eng- 
lish 



176 



APPENDIX, C. 



lish garrisons, as, with the general in chief, might 
be considered proper for their better preserva- 
tion, and requisite for the purpose of maintain- 
ing good order therein. 

As to the guaranteed stipulations in the arti- 
cles 16 and 17, it appears to be indispensible, 
that the said general in chief should declare that 
it never was his intention to prevent or embar- 
rass the taking all necessary neasures of precau- 
tion against the individuals mentioned therein, 
to prevent such suspicious persons from preju- 
dicing the public cause, whilst they remain here, 
and to punish, with the utmost severity of the 
law, such as might continue to betray this 
country. 

As to the first additional article, the Portu- 
gueze general cannot avoid mentioning the im- 
possibility of its execution, unless a just reci- 
procity shall be established. 

It is an indispensable duty to remind his ex- 
cellency the general in chief of the British army, 
of the necessity of establishing, during the de- 
lay of the French in Lisbon, some mode of in- 
quiry into their conduct and actions, and to 
intimate to them, that for any violence com- 
mitted 



APPENDIX, C. 



177 



mitted by them during that time, against the 
inhabitants of this country, they will be made 
responsible. 

An equal objection and protest appear to be 
necessary, and indispensably so, respecting the 
abuses which may take place in confidence of 
the articles relative to the baggage, military 
chests, and the sales of private property with 
which the said French may involve whatever 
they may think proper, should this article not 
be annulled, as a grand disadvantage to us in 
the capitulation. 

I cannot omit remarking the risk to which the 
said French exposed themselves, and the dan- 
ger to which the capital is subjected, as also the 
said French army, by their delay in Lisbon, du- 
ring the evacuation, from the rancour with 
which they are looked on by the people of Lis- 
bon ; and the inferiority of their numbers may 
excite some incident, even through the people, 
which may create an insurrection of a sangui- 
nary nature, within the said capital, and much 
embarrassment to the English and Portugueze 
armies, bound on one side by the convention, 
and urged on the other at seeing Portugueze 
subjects perish in their sight. To avoid this 

N risk, 



178 



APPENDIX, C. 



risk, it appears to be proper to propose thai ? 
whenever the first division of the French army 
may be embarked, the remainder shall proceed 
to Cascaes, where they can be embarked under 
the protection of an English division, which can 
interpose between the French and Lisbon. By 
which means the imminent danger will be avoid- 
ed, the evacuation of Lisbon will be expedited, 
and consequently the robberies and the com- 
plaints which might take place will be prevent- 
ed ; but I submit to the government, as it ap- 
pears proper to do so in all respects. 

(Signed) 

BERNARDIN FRIERE DE ANDRADA. 

Head-Quarters at Encarnacao, Sept. 3, 1808.. 

The protest was couched as follows : — . 

Head-Quarters at Encarnacao, Sept. 4, 1808. 

Protest made by Bernardin Frier e de Andi^ada, 
General Commandant of the Portugueze 
Troops , against the Articles of Capitulation, 
convent ioned and signed between the English 
Army and that of France, for the Evacuation 
of Portugal. 

I protest in general, for the want of contem- 
plation in said treaty, of the interests of his royal 

highness 



APPENDIX, C. 179 

highness the Prince Regent, and the government 
which represents him, and against all that may 
interfere with the royal sovereignty, and its 
authority, or with the independence of the said 
government, against all that may be contrary to 
the honour, security, and interest of the nation ; 
and I further protest particularly against the 
following articles. 

Art. 1, 4, and 12. — In the part which deter- 
mines the delivery up to the British forces, of 
the places, store-houses, or magazines, and the 
Portugueze ships, without declaring, in any 
mode, that such surrender is obligatory, as a 
temporary act, with an intent, immediately 
after, to restore them to the Prince Regent of 
Portugal, or to the government which repre- 
sents him, to whom they belong, and whom the 
English forces came to assist. 

Art. 16. — Against that part which permits 
to remain in Portugal the individuals therein 
mentioned. 

Art. 17. — Against that part, which restrains 
the government of this kingdom from inquiring 
into the conduct, and punishing by any means, 
those individuals who have been scandalously 
n 2 disloyal 



ISO 



APPENDIX, C: 



disloyal to their prince and their country, by 
serving the French party; and when under the 
protection of the English army, they will be 
screened from the punishment which they de- 
serve, and which would, in future, protect this 
country from a repetition of their treason. 

Additional first Art. — Cannot, by any means, 
be obligatory to the government of this king- 
dom without a reciprocal clause, but which is 
not stipulated. 

Finally, I protest against the omission of pro- 
viding for the security of the inhabitants of the 
capital and its environs, that they should not be 
molested or vexed during the delay of the 
French amongst them, or at least a reciprocity, 
as inserted in the articles 16 and 17, in favour 
of the French and their followers ; and I here 
limit my protest, to avoid augmenting a list of 
them, avoiding to make mention of other sub- 
jects of less consideration, such as the cession 
of eight hundred horses, without attending to 
their having been nearly all seized by the French 
in Portugal, and which, consequently, should 
not have been considered as French property; 
also the magazines of provisions, furnished at the 
cost of this country, to which, although in their 

possession, 



APPENDIX, C. 



181 



possession, they had no real right, as being the 
unjust possessor of the country. 

BERNARDIN FRIERE DE AXDRADA, 

A few days after was added, through Admiral 
Cotton, the following still more striking protest 
from the general of a Porttigueze army, which 
deemed itself not unimportantly victorious. He 
at the same time requested an embargo on the 
transports till they should be divested of the 
plunder which the French army contrived to 
secrete. 

Francis Me Ho del Cunha de Mendonca Menezes, 
Count of Castro Marino Monteiro MoT of 
the Council of his Royal Higlmess, Gentle- 
man of his Bedchamber, of the Grand Cross 
of the Order of Christ, General in Chief of 
the Army of the South, Member of the Re- 
gency of Portugal, founded by the Prince Re- 
gent our Lord, President of the Supreme Jun- 
ta of the Kingdom of Algarve, Governor and 
Captain General of the said Kingdom. 

In the name of the Prince Regent of Portu- 
gal, my master, and that of the nation, as Gene- 
ral-in-Chief of the Army of the South, posted 
on the margin of the Tagus, and as a member of 

N 3 the 



182 



APPENDIX, C. 



the Regency formed by his Royal Highness the 
Prince Regent of Portugal, for directing and 
promoting the interests of the nation, I protest, 
in general, against the treaty definitively made 
between the English and French generals, with- 
out his Royal Highness or his government being 
consulted; and for the inattention which was 
paid me, being the commander of an army, 
which without the aid of a foreign nation, since 
the memorable 19th of June, on which the Prince 
Regent was proclaimed in Algarve, found means 
to drive the enemy from that kingdom, and to 
pursue him by passing into Alentejo, causing him 
to abandon all his posts, and march away until 
my army took up their possession on the south 
banks of the Tagus, and therefore I protest 
against every thing that may be contrary to the 
honour, sovereignty, and independence of the 
Portugueze nation. 

Given at the Head-Quarters at Azeitaa, 
9th Sept. 1808. 

(Signed) 

COUNT MONTEIRO MOR. 

To his Excellency Sir Charles Cotton, 
%c. SfC SfC. 

This was succeeded by the following paper on 
the part of the people. 

Sir, 



APPENDIX, C. 



183 



Sir, 

When a general calamity throws into conster- 
nation an entire kingdom, it is then that it be- 
comes the grand tribunals which represent the 
whole nation to interpose their offices to obtain 
a remedy. 

It is evident, that by means of an infamous 
artifice, under a proclamation of friendship, the 
French acquired the possession of Portugal, after 
which they practised scandalous barbarities 
against religion, against the august throne, 
against the public security, and that of private 
individuals, and against the rights of nations. — 
The ancient and faithful allies of Portugal came 
to her assistance, and vanquished and overthrew 
the intruding usurpers ; and when we expected 
a complete satisfaction, it is rumoured that a 
convention is forming, but which we have barely 
any knowledge of, as the proclamation of the 
10th of September is not satisfactory to the pub- 
lic, and they only know — that in the convention 
there is no mention made of the three states of 
this kingdom, that it leaves us without satisfac- 
tion for the crimes both against divine and hu- 
man laws, and without indemnification for the 
murders, robberies, and all manner of crimes 
committed by the usurpers. 

n 4 The 



184 APPENDIX, C. ' 

The proclamation promises to secure restora- 
tion of what has been confiscated or seized, but 
the insults perpetrated against the Portugueze 
religion, the majesty of the throne, the lives 
of her countrymen, who have been assassinated, 

remain unsatisfied bv the means. 
«/ 

Our churches plundered of their ornaments, 
the royal palaces damaged, the royal treasury 
plundered, and in fine, the people reduced to 
poverty and misery, so as to render the streets 
and squares of the capital impassable ; nothing 
of this is taken into consideration, yet those 
objects are of high importance, as an example 
not to be passed with impunity, and most im- 
minently so to the religion of the state. The 
safety of monarchies depends on not suffering 
their rights to be invaded without punishing the 
offender, and the consequence of permitting 
such crimes with impunity, will occasion incal- 
culable misfortunes ; by this declaration I dis- 
charge my duty with honour and faith to my 
sovereign, to which I am urged by the officers 
of this tribunal, imploring of you, in the name of 
all the people of this kingdom, that you will take 
them into consideration ; yet at the same time, 
they declare their high gratitude to the generous 
allies who have liberated Portugal; but they 

pray 



•APPENDIX, C. 



1S5 



pray for a suspension of a convention so favour- 
able to the French interest as it is said to be, 
the convention being entirely to the prejudice 
of our holv religion, without a single clause in 
its favour to bind. All which may be insisted 
to the prejudice of the crown, without being 
acted on by the legal representative, cannot 
take effect. Let those French treat with the 
victors of Vimiera, who will be indignant at 
their proposed terms. 

The French cannot complain, as they usurped 
the sovereignty, and therefore they should re- 
store it, as well as the damages, losses, and 
usurpations, against the sovereign ; they in- 
sulted our religion, and attacked many of our 
clergy, whom they plundered ; and it is neces- 
sary that they should make proper restitution, 
with all damages and losses, independent of the 
losses of the dead, the absent, and of those whose 
misery is seen daily, occasioned by those pertur- 
bators of the world. 

The convention must be invalid after a con- 
tinuance of the abuses and hostilities committed 
in Almeida, by robbing and extorting a con- 
tribution to a considerable amount, and the 
high tribunals of this kingdom cannot consent 

to 



I S6 Appendix, c. 

to the return of the enemy to France, as they 
even now menace that they will return to destroy- 
even what they leave here. 

I am with due respect, 

Joze de Artreu Campos, 

Judge of the People. 

Sir Hew Dalrymple to General Beresford and 
Lord Proby. 

Head-quarters, Oeyras, September 6th, 1808. 

Gentlemen, 

I affixed my signature yesterday to a paper 
drawn up by Lieutenant-Colonel Murray, which 
I think contains the most satisfactory proofs 
that the French have no right to carry off 
plunder of any sort, at least, while in its original 
form, and not converted into money; under that 
interpretation you are to act. I think my own 
honour, and that of the British nation con- 
cerned, that the convention should not be other- 
wise considered, and I will not listen to any 
proposal which can compromise either. 

I have this day had a deputation from Lisbon, 
to complain of the depredations even lately com- 
mitted, and of the shameless and open manner 

in 



APPEXDIX, C. 



IS? 



in which public and private property is prepar- 
ing for removal, and that the fermentation in the 
minds of the people is coming to the highest 
pitch of exaltation. 

I learn from many and very respectable quar- 
ters, that from this, combined with the inter- 
pretation the French from their conduct affect 
to give the convention, the popular rage is little 
less directed against the English than the 
French nation, and I may find that the common 
measures of police, which the French Generals 
themselves are anxious that I should pursue, 
mav be considered as arrangements to secure to 
the French the fruits of these depredations we 
have sanctioned by treat}'. 

Under these considerations, I think it right 
to suggest to you, the probable expediency of 
requiring the French to restore to their place, 
forthwith, the objects of the Arts, and other 
articles, whether of public or private property, 
which have been taken thence for the purpose 
of removal, by that means affording a proof to 
the Portugueze nation, that we, at least, act 
with good faith, and are therefore entitled to 
use the necessary measures, however vigorous, 

for 



188 



APPENDIX, C. 



for the protection of those obnoxious persons for 
whose safety that faith is pledged. 

I do not mean by this letter to over-rule those • 
arrangements which, from 5 r our local informa- 
tion, and your own judgment, you may have 
seen cause to adopt: but you are authorized by 
it, if you see occasion so to do, (clearly explain- 
ing the motive to the French General,) to re- 
quire the demonstration that the system of 
plunder is overruled and abandoned which I 
have here detailed. 

(Signed) H W. DALRYMPLE. 

Lieut.-Gen. 

Major-General Beresford and 
Lord Frohy. 

General Beresford and Lord Proby, by their 
active exertions, prevented, as much as possible, 
• the bad effects of the ill-digested Convention 
of Cintra. 



APPENDIX, 



( 189 ) 



APPENDIX, D. 

GENERAL MOORE'S RETREAT, 



Extract from General Moore 8 Campaign, 

" GENERAL ORDERS. 
" Head-Quarters Corunna, \6th January, ISO*). 

" THE commander of the forces directs that 
" the commanding officers of regiments will, as 
" soon as possible, after they embark, make them- 
44 selves acquainted with the names of the ships 
<; in which the men of their regiments are em- 
" barked, both sick and convalescent: and that 
" they will make out the mo'St correct states of 
" their respective corps; that they will state the 
" number of sick present, also those left at dif- 
" ferent places; and mention at the back of the 
" return where the men returned on command 
" are employed." 

About noon the General sent for Colonel 
Anderson, to communicate his final instructions 
respecting the embarkation. He directed that he 
should continue to send the sick men, horses, and 
baggage, aboard the ships as quickly as possible: 

but 



190 



APPENDIX, D. 



but that he wished all the boats to be disengaged 
at four in the afternoon; for he intended, if the 
French did not move, to begin embarking the 
reserve at that hour. And that he would go out 
himself as soon as it was dark, to send in the 
troops by brigades in the order he wished them 
to embark. He continued transacting: business 
until a little after one o'clock, when his horse 
was brought. He then took leave of Colonel 
Anderson, saying, " Remember I depend upon 
your paying particular attention to every thing 
that concerns the embarkation, and let there be 
as little confusion as possible." 

He mounted his horse in good spirits, and set 
off to visit the out- posts, and to explain his de- 
sign to the general officers. 

He had not proceeded far on the road towards 
the position of the army, when he received a 
report from General Hope, " that the enemy's 
line were getting under arms ;" which was con- 
firmed by a deserter who came in at that mo- 
ment. Sir John expressed the highest satisfac- 
tion at this intelligence ; and only regretted that 
there would not be day light enough to profit 
sufficiently from the advantages he anticipated 
as certain. 

He 



APPENDIX, D. 



191 



He stuck spurs into his horse, and flew to 
the field. The advanced pickets were already 
begining to fire at the enemy's light troops, who 
were pouring rapidly down the hill on the right 
wing of the British. 

The army was drawn up in the order of battle 
he had planned three days before, and was filled 
with ardour. The General surveyed them with 
pleasure, and examined carefully the movements 
of the French columns. In a few minutes he 
dispatched almost all his staff officers with 
orders to the generals at the different points. 
General Fraser, whose brigade was in the rear, 
was commanded to move up, and take his posi- 
tion on the right ; and General Paget was ordered 
to advance with the reserve to support Lord W. 
Bentinck. 

The enemy now commenced a destructive can- 
nonade from eleven heavy guns, advantageously 
planted on the hills. 

Four strong columns of French were seen 
moving from their position. One advanced 
from a wood, the other skirted its edge ; and 
both were directed towards the right wing, which 
was the weakest point. 

A third 



192 



APPENDIX, D. 



A third column approached the centre ; and 
the fourth was advancing slowly upon the left 
along the road from El-Burgo. Besides these, 
there was a fifth corps which remained half way 
down the hill, towards the left. 

It was the opinion of Sir John Moore, that the 
presence of the chief in command near to the 
point where the great struggle occurs, is often 
most useful. (Perhaps Sir John Moore learnt 
this doctrine from the practice of one of his 
masters in the art of War, Sir Ralph Abercrom- 
bie, under whom he commanded the reserve in 
Egypt; and though he possessed his full confi- 
dence, yet he told the author, that in the hottest 
fire he usually found Sir Ralph at his elbow.) 
He probably thought it peculiarly requisite to 
follow this rule here, as the position of his right 
wing was bad, and if the troops in that point 
gave way, the ruin of the army was inevitable. 

Lord William Ren ti nek's brigade, consisting 
of three incomparable regiments, the 4th, the 
42d, and 50th, maintained this dangerous post. 
The Guards were in therear ; and to prevent the 
right being turned, Captain Napier was dis- 
patched to desire General Paget to bring up the 
reserve to the right of Lord William Bentinck. 

Sir 



APPENDIX, D. 



193 



Sir David Baird, leading on his division, had 
his arm shattered with a grape shot; and was 
forced to leave the field, 

The French artillery plunged from the 
heights, and the two hostile lines of infantry 
mutually advanced, beneath a shower of balls. 

They were still separated from each other by 
stone-walls and hedges, which intersected the 
ground ; but as they closed, it was perceived 
that the French line extended beyond the right 
flank of the British; and a body of the enemy 
were observed moving up the valley to turn it. 

An order was instantly given, and the half of 
the 4th Regiment, which formed this flank, fell 
back, refusing their right, and making an obtuse 
angle with the other half. 

In this position they commenced a heavy 
flanking fire; and the general, watching the 
manoeuvre, called out to them, " That was exactly 
what I wanted to be done." 



He then made up to the 50th Regiment, com- 
manded by Majors Napier and Stanhope, who 
• o got 



194 



APPENDIX, D. 



got over an inclosure in their front, and charged 
most gallantly. The General, ever an admirer 
of valour, exclaimed, " Well done the fiftieth ! 
well done my Majors !" (Sir John used this ex- 
pression from having recommended them for the 
military rank they held. The Honourable 
Major Stanhope was second son to Earl Stan- 
hope, and nephew to the late Mr. Pitt. The 
General entertained a sincere friendship for him.) 

They drove the enemy out of the village of 
Elvine with great slaughter. In this conflict 
Major Napier, advancing too far, was wounded 
in several places and taken prisoner ; and Major 
Stanhope unfortunately received a mortal 
wound. 

Sir John Moore proceeded to the 42 d, address- 
ing them in these words : " Highlanders, re- 
member Egypt." They rushed on driving the 
French before them till they were stopped by a 
wall. Sir John accompanied them in this 
charge, and told the soldiers that he was well 
pleased with their conduct. 

He sent Captain Hardinge to order up a bat- 
talion of Guards to the left flank of the High- 
landers; upon which the officer commanding the 

Light 



APPENDIX, D, 



190 



Light Company, conceived that as their ammu- 
nition was nearly expended, they were to be re- 
lieved by the Guards, and began to fall back; 
but Sir John discovering the mistake, said to 
them, " My brave 42d, join your commander, 
ammunition is coming, and you have your bayo- 
nets." They instantly obeyed, and all moved 
forward. 

Captain Hardinge now returned to report that 
the Guards were advancing. While he was 
speaking, and pointing out the situation of the 
battalion, a hot fire was kept up, and the ene- 
my's artillery played incessantly on the spot. Sir 
John Moore was too conspicuous. A cannon- 
ball struck his left shoulder, and beat him to 
the ground. 

He raised himself and sat up with an unaltered 
countenance, looking intentlv at the Hisrhlatr- 
ders, who were warmly engaged. Captain 
Hardinge threw himself from his horse, and 
took him by the hand ; then observing his anxie- 
ty, he told him the 42d were advancing, upon 
which his countenance immediately brightened. 

His friend Colonel Graham now dismounted 
to assist him ; and, from the composure of his 

o 2 features. 



196 



APPENDIX, D. 



features, entertained hopes that he was not even 
wounded ; but observing the horrid laceration 
and effusion of blood, he rode off for Surgeons. 
The General was carried from the field in a 
blanket, by a serjeant of the 42d and some sol- 
diers. On the way he ordered Captain Hardinge 
to report his wound to General Hope, who as- 
sumed the command. Many of the soldiers 
knew that their two chiefs were carried off, vet 
they continued the fight undaunted. 

General Paget, conformably to his orders, 
hastened to the right with his reserve. Colonel 
Beckwith dashed on with the Rifle Corps,- — re- 
pelling the enemy, and advancing on their flank. 
They penetrated so far as nearly to carry one 
of their cannon ; but were at length forced to 
retire before a much superior corps, who were 
moving up the valley. General Paget attacked 
this corps with the 52d and some more of the 
reserve, and quickly repelled it. He pressed on 
to a great distance, dispersing every thing in 
front; till the enemy perceiving their left wing 
quite exposed, drew it entirely back. 

The French then advanced upon the centre, 
where Generals Manningham and Leith success- 
fully resisted their onset 

The 



APPENDIX, D. 



19? 



The ground there being more elevated and 
favourable for artillery, the guns were of great 
utility. An effort was likewise made on the left, 
which was very unavailing; for the position on 
that side was strong. But a corps of French 
took possession of a village on the road to Betan- 
zas, from which they continued to fire. -On 
which Lieutenant- Colonel Nichols boldly at- 
tacked the village with some companies of the 
34th, and beat out the enemy with loss. 

Light now began to fail, and the French had 
fallen back on every point ; yet the roaring of 
cannon, and the report of musketry, continued 
till dark. 

The victory was complete, and gained under 
many disadvantages. The British had been 
much reduced by the multitude of sick, by the 
loss of stragglers, and by those employed in ne- 
cessary duties ; and General Craufurd's detach- 
ment was now at Vigo, so that not quite 15,000 
men were brought into the field. The French 
also were greatly diminished by the length of 
the march, the severity of the weather, and their 
losses in the various defeats they had previously 
sustained, yet according to the report of the 
prisoners, their three divisions amounted to 
o 3 . full 



198 



APPENDIX, D. 



full 20,000 men, and consisted, in part, of the 
same regiments which had capitulated in Portu- 
gal. Besides this great superiority of numbers, 
their position was far more favourable, and their 
cannon was of much heavier metal, which being 
planted on the hills, fired down on the British 
with great advantage. Yet by the daring 
courage of the troops, by the skilful disposition 
of the army, and by the manoeuvres during the 
action, the French were entirely discomfited. 

The loss of the British in killed and wounded, 
was between seven and eight hundred men, and 
General Hope conjectured that the enemy had 
lost about double that number; but Major Na- 
pier, when a prisoner, learnt from the best in- 
formed Spaniards, that the loss of the French 
was about 2000 men. This was owing to the 
quick firing and steady aim of the British troops; 
the French veteran officers declaring, that they 
had never been in so hot a fire in their lives. 
Indeed they were often lavish in their praises of 
the British in action, but observed, that they 
were much inferior to their own more practised 
soldiers in marching, and straggled from their 
corps to a degree which never occurs in a French 
army. These defects, together with their love 
of wine, occasioned a most serious loss of n^en. 

But 



APPENDIX, D. 



199 



But to mitigate this censure, it ought to be men- 
tioned, that in the midst of their excesses, no 
such enormities were committed as other armies 
are reproached with. The British soldiers were 
intemperate, and often mischievous, but never 
cruel. 

The darkness of the night made it impossible 
to pursue the enemy ; and General Hope, weigh- 
ing the circumstances under which the British 
army was placed, and the reinforcements which 
were at hand and would soon reach the French, 
considered that it would be impossible to retain 
his position long. A succession of attacks from 
fresh troops must ultimately overwhelm the 
British. He thereforejudged, that the only pru- 
dent step that could be taken, was to proceed to 
embark the army. 

At ten o'clock at night he ordered the troops, 
by brigades, to move from the field and march 
to Corunna. Strong piquets were left to guard 
the ground, and to give notice if the enemy 
approached. 

Major-General Beresford commanded the 
rear-guard, of about 2,000 men, to cover the em- 
barkation. He occupied the lines in front of the 
o 4 town f 



200 APPENDIX, D. 

town, and Major-General Hill was stationed 
with a corps of reserve on a promontory behind 
the town. 

The boats were all in readiness, and the pre- 
vious measures were so well concerted, that 
nearly the whole army were embarked during the 
night. 

The piquets were withdrawn before day- 
light, and immediately carried on board the 
ships also, so that nothing remained ashore ex- 
cept the rear-guard. 

The French had no dispoition to renew the 
engagement ; but when the morning rose, and 
they saw that the British were gone, they pushed 
on their light troops to the heights of St. Lucia. 

In the forenoon, (January 17th) they got up 
some cannon to a rising ground near the har- 
bour, and fired at the transports. Several of the 
masters were so much frightened, that they cut 
their cables, and four of the ships ran aground. 
The troops of these ships were put on board 
Others, and the stranded vessels were burnt. The 
rest of the fleet quitted the harbour. 



APPENDIX, D. 201 

At two o'clock General Hill's brigade em- 
barked under the citadel ; and during that night, 
and the following morning, General Beresford 
sent off all the sick and wounded whose condi- 
tion admitted of their being removed, and lastly, 
the rear-guard got into the boats without the 
slightest effort being made by the enemy to in- 
terrupt it. 

The whole of this difficult operation was so 
well conducted as to reflect much credit upon 
the superintending officers both of the navy and 
army. 

Of the Last Moments of Sir J. Moore, 

As many will receive a melancholy gratifica- 
tion from reading the particulars of the last mo- 
ments of the life of Sir John Moore, such inci- 
dents as are authentic shall be communicated. 

The following letter from Captain Hardinge 
describes his fall: 

"The circumstances which took place imme- 
diately after the fatal blow which deprived the 
army of its gallant commander Sir John Moore, 
are of too interesting a nature not to be made 

public 



202 



APPENDIX, D. 



public for the admiration of his countrymen. 
But I trust that the instances of fortitude and 
heroism of which I was a witness, may also have 
another effect, that of affording some consola- 
tion to his relations and friends. 

" With this feeling I have great satisfaction 
in committing to paper, according to your de- 
sire, the following relation. 

<c I had been ordered by the commander-in- 
chief to desire a battalion of the Guards to ad- 
vance ; which battalion was at one time intended 
to have dislodged a corps of the enemy from a 
large house and garden on the opposite side of 
the valley, and I was pointing out to the Gene- 
ral the situation of the battalion, and our horses 
were touching at the very moment that a cannon 
ball from the enemy's battery, carried away his 
left shoulder and part of the collar-bone, leaving 
the arm hanging by the flesh. The violence of 
the stroke threw him from his horse on his back. 
Not a muscle of his face altered, nor did a sigh 
betray the least sensation of pain. 

" I dismounted, and taking his hand, he press- 
ed mine forcibly, casting his eyes very anxiously 
towards the 42cl Regiment, which was hotly en- 
gaged, 



APPENDIX, D. 



203 



gaged, and his countenance expressed satisfac- 
tion when I informed him that the regiment 
was advancing. Assisted by a soldier of the 
42d, he was removed a few yards behind the 
shelter of a wall. 

" Colonel Graham Balgowan and Captain 
Woodford about this time came up; and per- 
ceiving the state of Sir John's wound, instantly 
rode off for a surgeon. 

" The blood flowed fast, but the attempt to 
stop it was useless, from the size of the wound. 

" Sir John assented to being removed in a 
blanket to the rear. In raising him for that 
purpose, his sword, hanging on the wounded 
side, touched his arm, and became entangled 
between his legs. I perceived the inconvenience, 
and was in the act of unbuckling it from his 
waist, when he said, in his usual tone and man- 
ner, and in a very distinct voice, ' It is as well 
as it is. I had rather it should go out of the 
field with me.' 

, " Here I feel that it would be improper for 
my pen to venture to express the admiration 
with which I am penetrated in thus faithfully 

recording 



204 



APPENDIX, D. 



recording this instance of the invincible fortitude 
and military delicacy of this great man. 

" He was borne by six soldiers of the 42d and 
Guards, my sash supporting him in an easy 
posture. 

" Observing the resolution and composure of 
his features, I caught at the hope that I might 
be mistaken in my fears of the wound being 
mortal, and remarked, that I trusted when the 
surgeons dressed the wound, that he would be 
spared to us, and recover. He then turned his 
head round, and looking steadfastly at the 
wound for a few seconds, said, ' No Hardinge, I 
feel that to be impossible.' 

" I wished to accompany him to the rear, 
when he said, 4 You need not go with me. Re- 
port to General Hope that I am wounded and 
carried to the rear.' 

" A serjeant of the 42d and two spare files, in 
case of accident, were ordered to conduct their 
brave General to Corunna, and I hastened to 
report to General Hope. 

* ■ I have the honour to be, &c. 

« H. HARDINGE." 

The 



APPENDIX, D. 205 

The tidings of this disaster were brought to 
Sir David Baird when the surgeons were dressing 
his shattered arm. He instantly commanded 
them to desist, and run to attend on Sir John 
Moore. When they arrived and offered their 
assistance, he said to them, " You can be of no 
service to me, go to the soldiers, to whom you 
may be useful." 

As the soldiers were carrying him slowly 
along, he made them turn him round frequently 
to view the field of battle, and to listen to the 
firing, and was well pleased when the sound 
grew fainter. 

A spring waggon bearing Colonel Wynch 
wounded from the battle, came up. The Colonel 
asked, "Who was in the blanket?" and being 
told it was Sir John Moore, he wished him to be 
placed in the waggon, The General asked one 
of the Highlanders, whether he thought the 
waggon or the blanket best; who answered, 
that the blanket would not shake him so much, 
as he and the other soldiers would keep the step 
and carry him easy. Sir John said, " I think so 
too." So they proceeded with him to his lodg- 
ings in Corunua, the soldiers shedding tears as 
they went. 

In 



APPENDIX, D. 



In carrying him through the passage of the 
house he saw his faithful servant Francis, who 
was stunned at the spectacle. Sir John said to 
him smiling, u My friend this is nothing." 

Colonel Anderson, for one and twenty years 
the friend and companion in arms of Sir John 
Moore, wrote, the morning following, this ac- 
count, while the circumstances were fresh in his 
memory. 

I met the General in the evening of the l()th, 
as he was being conveyed in a blanket and 
sashes. He knew me immediately, though it 
was almost dark, squeezed me by the hand, and 
said, " Anderson, don't leave me." 

He spoke to the surgeons on their examining 
his wound, but was in such pain he could say 
little. 

After some time, he seemed very anxious to 
speak to me, and, at intervals, got out as fol- 
lows : — " Anderson, you know that I have always 
wished to die this way." He then asked, " Are 
the French beaten ?" which he repeated to every 
one he knew as they came in. " I hope the 
people of England will be satisfied ! I hope my 

country 



APPENDIX, P. 



£07 



country will do me justice! Anderson, you 
will see ni) friends as soon as you can; tell them 

every thing ; say to my mother Here his 

voice quite failed, and he was exceedingly agi- 
tated. " Hope — Hope— I have much to say to 
him, but cannot get it out. Are Colonel Gra- 
ham and all my aides-de-camp well?" (A pri- 
vate sign was made by Colonel Anderson not to 
inform him that Captain Burrarcl, one of his. 
aides-decamp, was wounded in the action.) 
" I have made my will, and have remembered 
my servants. Colborne has my will, and all my 
papers." 

Major Colborne then came into the room. 
He spoke most kindly to him, and then said to 

me, " Anderson, remember you go to , 

and tell him it is my request, and that I expect 
he will give Major Colborne a Lieutenant-Colo- 
nelcy. He has been long with me, and I know 
him most worthy of it." He then asked Major 
Colborne " if the French were beaten ?" And, 
on being told they were on every point, he said, 
" It's a great satisfaction for me to know we 
have beaten the French. Is Paget in the room ?*' 
On my telling him, no, he said, " Remember me 
to him : it's General Paget I mean ; he is a fine 
fellow. I feel myself so strong I fear I shall be 

long 



£08 APPENDIX, D» 

long dying It is great uneasiness — it is great 

pain. — Every thing Francis says is right ; I have 
the greatest confidence in him." He thanked 
the surgeons for their trouble. Captains Percy 
and Stanhope, two of his aides-de-camp, then 
came into the room. He Spoke kindly to both, 
and asked Percy if all his aides-de camp were 
well. After some interval he said, " Stanhope, 
remember me to your sister." He pressed my 
hand close to his body, and, in a few minutes, 
died without a struggle. 

This was every syllable he uttered, as far as I 
can recollect, except asking occasionally to be 
placed in an easier posture. 

P. ANDERSON, Lieut. Col. 



APPENDIX, 



( 209 ) 



APPENDIX, K 

COLONEL MAYNE APPOINTED THE GOVERNOR 
OF ALMEIDA. 



Extract of a Letter from Colonel Guard, of the 
45th Regiment, dated Torre de Mont cor vo, Ja- 

■ nuary 9, 1809, to Colonel Mayne, commanding 
the Fortress of Almeida, 8$c. 8$c. 

Sir, 

In consequence of dispatches which Briga- 
dier General Cameron has just received, he de- 
sires me to request that you will, with all possi- 
ble dispatch, forward the ordnance and hospital 
stores that are in Almeida to Lamago. The ge- 
neral requests that you will acquaint Sir R. Wil- 
son that he recommends it to him to fall back on 
Oporto without delay. Should any of the 
Shrapnell shells still remain in Almeida, you will 
have them completely destroyed ; and all strag- 
glers from the British army must be forwarded 
to Lamago to wait further orders* 



(Signed) WILLIAM GUARD, 
Lieut. Col. 45 th Regt. 
P * Copy 



APPENDIX, E. 



Copy of the General Orders, dated Adjutant 
General's Office, Lisbon, January 2, 1809, re- 
lative to the occupation of the Fortress of Al- 
meida. 

From the increase of expense that must at- 
tend the situation of commanding officers of 
Elvas, Almeida, &c. &e. the commander of the 
forces (Sir John Cradock) directs, until the 
pleasure of government shall he known, that the 
officers in actual command shall receive an ex- 
traordinary allowance according to their rank : 
colonels 24s. per diem, lieutenant-colonels 20s. 
per diem ; and these allowances to take place 
from the time of their actually holding the com- 
mand. 

(Signed) THOMAS REYNELL, 
Lieut. Col. Adj. Gen, 

Copy of Sir R. Wilson's Certificate relative to 
these Orders. 

I hereby certify, that Colonel Mayne, of the 
Loyal Lusitanian Legion, was placed with a de- 
tachment of this corps in the command of the 
fortress of Almeida, from the 5th of January, 
to the 16th of February, 1809, inclusive, to su- 
perintend the transportation of valuable artillery 

stores, 



APPENDIX, E. 



211 



stores, and other arrangements relating to the 
commissariat and hospital stores, which duty he 
completely executed with the greatest zeal and 
to the great advantage of his Majesty's service. 

(Signed) ROBERT WILSON, 
Cheffe L. L. L. 

Copy of Lieutenant -General Sir John Craclock's 
Certificate relative to these Orders. 

Upon the British troops leaving Almeida, the 
fort was occupied by a division of the Loyal 
Lusitanian Legion, commanded by Colonel 
Mayne, who acquitted himself in that duty 
much to my satisfaction ; and it appears to me, 
that from whatever source the money can be is- 
sued, that that officer has just pretensions to the 
allowances enjoyed by his predecessors, for such 
period as he commanded the fortress of Almeida. 

(Signed) J. F. CRADOCK, 
Lieutenant-General. 

Hereford-Street, Nov. 20, 
1809. 



p 2 APPENDIX, 



APPENDIX, F. 

THE CAPTURED MAIL. 



Among other valuables in this mail, there 
was a very handsome gold watch for the Inten- 
dant General Danet, of the French army at 
Madrid, which now fell into the hands of Colonel 
Mayne. Captain Danet had formerly been a 
captain in the French navy, and, after the revo- 
lution in France, he commanded the L'Epervier, 
privateer, a very famous fast sailing ship, which 
made great havoc in the British trade in 1796-97, 
and in the latter year he captured some of the 
Quebec homeward-bound fleet, and, among 
others, the Adelphi merchantman, in which were 
Lieutenant-Colonel Duke, of the 26th infantry, 
Captain Mitchel, Captain Mayne, and Dr. Mil- 
ler. He sent this prize, the Adelphi, to Bourdeaux, 
but he was the means of the release of Captains 
Mitchel and Mayne, by detaining them on board 
his own ship the L'Epervier, intending imme- 
diately to place them on board some neutral 
that he might meet with on his cruize to convey 
them to England ; he had not time to put this 
intention into execution ; for, looking out for 

the 



appendix, r. 213 

the Quebec fur ships, of (great value,) off the 
coast of Ireland, he mistook the Cerberus fri- 
gate, (Captain Drew,) for one of them, and bore 
down upon her for the purpose of capturing her. 
It was hazy weather, and when within point- 
blank shot of her, to his great mortification, he 
too late found out his mistake, and, after a short 
and running engagement, Captain Danet was 
under the necessity of striking to the superior 
force of the Cerberus, and himself and his crew 
were made prisoners. - The Cerberus shortly 
afterwards went into Cork harbour, and Captains 
Mitchell and Mayne had the opportunity of re- 
turning Captain Danet's liberal conduct; the 
former by having many connections in that part 
of Ireland who were civil to Captain Danet on 
his account, and the latter by obtaining, through 
the Earl of Camden's court, who was then Lord 
Lieutenant of Ireland, permission for him to re- 
main upon his parole, and, afterwards, through 
his relation's, Lady Newhaven's, influence with 
the Marquis of Buckingham, to obtain his im- 
mediate exchange and liberation. Captain Da- 
net wrote afterwards from France, in the short 
peace, inviting Colonel Mayne to pay him a visit, 
who may, at a future time, have an opportunity 
of returning this attention, by presenting him 
with his captured watch. 

r 3 APPENDIX, 



( 214 ) 



APPENDIX, G. 



Sir R. Wilson's Dispatches relating to an Af- 
fair at San Felices on the Agueda River. 

Veilla de Cerw, April 2, I8O9. 

Sir, 

I Have the honour to inform your Excellen- 
cy, that I marched, on the morning of the 1st 
of April, with the detachment of troops, con- 
sisting of about 200 men of the regiment of 
Avilla, 130 of the Legion under my command, 
60 Spanish, and 30 Portugueze Dragoons, with 
one howitzer, and one field-piece, with the inten- 
tion of surprising or carrying the posts of the 
enemy at Barbara de Puerco. 

When within a quarter of a mile of the village, 
I detached Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, with 80 
Spanish infantry, and some horse, to alarm the 
enemy in his rear in case of resistance. The 
main body was close upon the village before the 
enemy's sentries perceived its approach ; when 
Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, and Lieutenant-Co- 
lonel Don Carlos D'Espagne, aide-de-camp to 

his 



APPENDIX, G. 



215 



his Excellency the Captain-General, galloped 
forward with the cavalry, and killed or secured 
such part of the enemy as could not reach the 
rocks in the descent of the mountains. 

The commanding officer and 16 men were 
pressed so hard by the detachment under Lieute- 
nant-Colonel Wilson, that they were unable to 
reach the bridge, and were obliged to throw 
themselves into a cave at the base of the moun- 
tain, which was extremely difficult of access. 

The Spaniards and a part of the Legion went 
down the sides of the mountain, and I posted 
the remainder of the Legion, witfcthe howitzers, 
on the height commanding Barbara de Puerco 
and the road of San Felices ; and I brought the 
guns through the village to the ridge of the path 
leading to the bridge, from which situation the 
artillery played with very great effect on the 
guards ascending the San Felices road and the 
reinforcements which subsequently descended. 

The enemy sent immediately forward from 
San Felices, where he had 3,000 men, detach- 
ments of light troops, who took post on the side 
of the mountain opposed to us, and where they 
kept up a very brisk fire, as briskly answered, 
from eight o'clock in the morning till two in the 

p 4 from 



216 



APPENDIX, G. 



afternoon, but with considerable loss on their 
part, from our activity and the excellence of 
some of our marksmen, particularly some offi- 
cers and Chasseurs. 

Finding that the enemy persevered in throw- 
ing more troops forward, and not having the 
means or intention to occupy the posts of Bar- 
bara de Puerco, especially as I was aware that he 
could, and did, by single persons, pass and as- 
semble a large force on this side of the bridge, 
who could divide and turn our position to right 
and left, I withdrew my guns from Barbara de 
Puerco to its height, when the Spaniards re-as- 
cended the hill, and formed on the height about 
400 yards from the village. 

The troops of the Legion maintained the 
ground obstinately against the Tirailleurs of the 
enemy, who appeared on every side. 

I gradually withdrew my guns and the Spa- 
nish infantry in separate divisions, then the ca- 
valry, as the ground did not admit of its acting; 
and when the main body had thus descended 
the hill and passed^an intervening open space, 
extremely unfavourable to cross, under an 
enemy's fire from the height, I withdrew the 
♦troops of the Legion, and, by keeping up a fire 

enemy's 



APPENDIX, G. 



from behind a rock that favoured my skirmishers, 
I passed above the rear-guard, without any loss, 
or the smallest disorder, to the rocky height be- 
yond the plain, where again making a stand in 
some strength, the enemy halted and retired up 
the hill. 

The troops had directions to halt at Villa de 
Cerva, where I remained during the night, con- 
stantly patroling to Barbara de Puerco, and 
where I found that the enemy early at night had, 
from fear of an attack, withdrawn his forces, 
leaving only a small guard. 

It is a painful circumstance to be under the 
necessity of citing, even against the enemy, a 
most flagitious breach of faith and military ho- 
nour. But it is not only to record a reproach, 
it is to save gallant officers in the exercise of 
generous humanity from perishing by similar 
treachery, that I am obliged to relate, that when 
informed of the officer and his party being in 
the cave, at whom the Spaniards were endea- 
vouring to pour fire from every direction, I de- 
sired Lieutenant Wilson to offer them their lives 
on condition of surrendering, and Lieutenant- 
Colonel Don Carlos d'Espagne accompanied 
him to prevent the Spanish infantry from firing. 

Finding 



218 



APPENDIX, G. 



Finding that the communication could not be 
made on the side of the bridge, these officers, 
joined by Lieutenant-Colonel Grant and Lieute- 
nant Charles, of the Royal British artillery, passed 
the bridge, advancing with a white handkerchief, 
and proposed the terms I desired. The officers 
came forward and said it was what they wished, 
and begged Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson to ap- 
proach nearer. At the instant a volley was fired 
at him and the rest of the officers, and the fire 
was continued until they passed the bridge 
again. Unfortunately, it happened at the mo- 
ment, the enemy's detachments were descending 
the hill, so that the complete example could not 
be made, which such conduct imperiously de- 
manded, but most of the assassins perished, and, 
I am assured, that only the officer and four men 
came out of the cave alive. 

It is a more agreeable duty for me to add, 
that, in this expedition, I have had much to 
praise. All the officers attached to me did what- 
ever bravery and judgment could achieve ; and 
your Excellency well knows, that both must 
have been required under our circumstances, in 
the conduct of new levies naturally brave but 
inexperienced. 



This 



APPENDIX, G. 



219 



This affair has cost the enemy dear, and it is 
another lesson that no occasion is omitted to at- 
tack him, and that he cannot, with impunity, 
presume in a country where his name is in ab- 
horrence, and where his crimes daily augment 
the virulence of hatred and the fury of venge- 
ance. Hitherto it is true, that the character of 
the war, which we have been able to direct against 
him, has not been on the great scale of military 
operations, but it is one which has kept him in 
continual alarm, diminished his ranks, and, I 
trust, discomfited many of his objects. 

It would be improper, at this moment, to no- 
tice, publicly, the patriotic zeal and valour of 
several peasants who accompanied and served in 
yesterday's affair; but I have the honour to 
transmit for his Majesty, the Central Junta, 
their names, and, among so many brave and 
worthy men, there is yet one to be particularly 
distinguished for his most gallant conduct. 
I have the honour to be, 
Your Excellency's most obedient and 
humble Servant, 

ROBERT WILSON, 

Brigadier-General. 

To His Excellency J. Hoolcham Frere, 
SfC. S)-c. SfC. Sevilla. 

APPENDIX, 



( 220 ) 



APPENDIX, H. 



Copy of a Letter from Colonel IX Urban, Quar- 
ter- Master -General of the Portugueze Army, 
to Colonel Mayne, commanding the Loyal Lu- 
sitanian Legion, at Castello Branco. 

Head-Quarters, Thomar, April 25, l80p. 

Sir, 

I am commanded by Marshal Beresford to di- 
rect that yon proceed immediately with the 
Loyal Lusitanian Legion, under your command, 
to Alcantara. 

You will be followed by the militia regiment 
of Idanhia, which is ordered to march to Cas- 
tello Branco, and to place itself under your or- 
ders. 

You will, of course, take with you the guns 
and howitzers attached to the Legion ; and on 
your arrival at Alcantara, you will make such a 

disposition 



APPENDIX, H. 



221 



disposition of your force as shall appear to you 
best for the defence of the passage of the Tagus 
at that place. This is an object of great impor- 
tance, and you will therefore take every measure 
necessary to ensure it. The Idanhia regiment 
marches to-morrow, and will reach Castello 
Branco on the 3d of May. I have not sent any 
specific route for your march from Castello Bran- 
co to Alcantara, you will, therefore, of course, 
march the Legion and the other regiment, by 
that which shall appear to you the shortest and 
most convenient. 

You will have the goodness to acknowledge 
the receipt of this letter, and when you arrive at 
Alcantara, you will report, for the Marshal's in- 
formation, upon the state of things there, and 
upon all that you may think necessary for him 
to be acquainted with. 

I have the honour to be, &c. &c. 
(Signed) B. D'URBAN, 

Quarter-Master-General. 

P. S. Lieutenant- Colonel Grant, who was on 
his way to Sir R. Wilson, has been directed by 
the Marshal to join you, as I am aware of the 
great assistance you will derive from his com- 
manding your cavalry and out-posts. 

Copy 



APPENDIX, H. 



Copy of a Letter from General M l Kenzie>* 
commanding in the South of Portugal. 

Thomar, May 3, 1809. 

Dear Sir, 

I find the garrison of Alcantara, which I am 
happy to learn is under your command, is a part 
of the force placed under my orders by Marshal 
Beresford, to act with the British troops en- 
trusted to my charge by Sir Arthur Wellesley. 

I understand Marshal Beresford has given 
you some instructions for your guidance, to 
which I shall add nothing at present ; but you 
will probably hear from me very soon from 
Abrantes, where my head- quarters will be after 
to-morrow. 

I always remain, my dear Sir, 
Your very sincere and obedient servant, 

(Signed) J. R. M'KENZXE, 

Major-General. 

To Colonel Mayne, Commandant 
of Alcantara. 

* General M'Kenzie fell gloriously at the head of his bri- 
gade at Talavera. 



Instructions 



APPENDIX, H. 



223 



Instructions for Lieutenant -Colonel Grant, 
Commanding the Out-posts of the Garrison of 
Alcantara, at Brozas. Dated May 7, 1809- 

Sir, 

In the event of the enemy moving upon Al- 
cantara in great force, you will order immediate- 
ly the 200 infantry, under your command, to 
fall back to the heights of Alcantara on the east 
side of the Tagus, remaining with the cavalry 
under your orders as long as you can in safety ? 
for every information concerning the enemy's 
advance. I find the town of Alcantara so 
thoroughly exposed, that it is out of the ques- 
tion to take any steps for its defence ; and the 
greater object being the pass of the Tagus, 
it must be abandoned ; but should the enemy 
come forward in small force, or in any numbers 
equal to our own, I should recommend a skir- 
mishing retreat, falling back upon my force, 
which shall, in this case, be prepared to give 
them a very warm reception. 

You will patrole on the line of Carceres, to- 
wards Aroyo de Puerco, and in the Circle of 
Alcantara, as your judgment may point out to 

you, 



APPENDIX, H. 



you, keeping a watchful eye on the upper line of 
the Tagus. 

You will send reports to my head quarters 
every third clay, of every thing that passes 
under your command ; being careful in procur- 
ing and forwarding, immediately, every other in- 
formation of greater importance. 

* I have the honour to be, 

&c. &c. &c. 

(Signed) WILLIAM MAYNE, 

Colonel, Commanding the Brigade 
at Alcantara. 

Copy of a Letter from General Cuesta to Colo- 
nel Mayne, Commandant of the Allied Troops 
at Alcantara. Bated May 8, 1809. 

Most Excellent Sir, 

The news that I have received, that 2,000 
troops have arrived under your command in the 
place of Alcantara, has given me the greatest 
satisfaction, and the more particularly so, as I 
understand these to be the advance of a large 
army of British troops under his Excellency 
General Wellesley, moving into Spain. 



I should 



APPENDIX, H. 



225 



I should think Marshal Victor with his army 
will make a disposition to enter Portugal from 
Estremadura, to relieve General Soult; and it 
will give me much pleasure to concert any plans 
for the impediment of the enemy's movement in 
the vicinity of Badajoz and Elvas, the former 
place being now fortified and strengthened in 
the best possible manner. It is also probable 
they may try to pass the Tagus at Alcantara, 
and to move on to Castello Branco in Portugal. 

Your Excellency may depend upon every in- 
formation that I can obtain; and of my deter- 
mination to pursue the enemy's movement in 
either case; and to harass them by every means 
. in my power. 

I trust your Excellency will have the good- 
ness to inform me of all the circumstances that 
may transpire for the good of our common 
cause, and to believe that it will be my greatest 
desire to render every assistance to the allies, as 
Captain-General of the Province of Estrema- 
dura. 

May God preserve your Excellency ! 
&c. &c. &c. 



(Signed) GREG. DE LA CUESTA. 

Q Copy 



APPENDIX, H. 



Copy of a Letter from the Supreme Junta of 
Estremadura, to Colonel Mayne, Commandant 
of Alcantara, 

This Supreme Junta has been very much 
pleased at the receipt of your dispatch of the 
7th instant, in which you inform them of your 
safe arrival, with the troops under your com- 
mand, at Alcantara. They beg to send you 
their most cordial thanks for the energetic dis- 
position that your military skill and sound pene- 
tration has made^ to put the position of Alcan- 
tara in a vigorous state of defence ; and they 
are well persuaded that your presence, and well- 
directed measures,, will prevent the wrongs that 
Alcantara has suffered, in its weak state, from 
being repeated ; and that the enemy will be re- 
pelled with steadiness whenever they attempt to 
renew their invasion. 

The honourable, faithful, and most cordial 
alliance that so firmly unites the three nations, 
must re-animate the glorious cause in which all 
are so much interested; and the Junta, confid- 
ing in your military knowledge, with all plea- 
sure confer on you their full powers of govern- 
ment, for the defence of Alcantara and its de- 
pendencies. 

God 



APPENDIX, H. 



God preserve your important life for many 
years. 

LOUIS MARIA DE MENDOZA, 
(Signed) JUAN CABRERA DE LA ROCHA, 

In the name of the Supreme Junta 
of Estremadura, 

Badajos, May 10, 1809. 

Copy of an Address from the Junta of Alcan- 
tara, to Colonel Mayne, Commanding the Bri- 
gade of Alcantara. 

The Junta of Government and War of the 
Citadel and Town of Alcantara, and its depen- 
dencies, in full meeting assembled, having taken 
into consideration your military and political 
knowledge, of so much importance in any case 
of invasion from the enemy, and so useful and 
beneficial to the Spanish nation and its ally 
Great Britain, beg leave to name you a member 
of it, and to request your presence at their 
councils, when your other occupations will ad- 
mit of it, and to beg that you will allow them 
to distinguish you with *the Cross and Medal of 

the 

* A Red Cross with a pendant gold medal, one side, " Al 
Merito; de la Junta de Gobierno y Guerra de la Villa de Al- 
cantara" — the reverse a right-hand and eye with the word 

q 2 " Ciudado" 



228 



APPENDIX, H, 



the Junta of the Government and War, as worn 
by the Members, and to present you with them. 

God preserve you for many years. 

(Signed) FERNANDO MARIA PANTOZA. 
JULIAN ROMERO FLO RES. 

In the name of the Junta of Alcantara. 
Alcantara, May 12, 18O9. 

Copy of a Letter from the Superior Junta of 
Castille, dated Ciudad Roderigo, May 12, 
1810, to Colonel Mayne, Commanding the 
Brigade at Alcantara. 

The Superior Junta of Castille has received 
your communication ; they are happy to hear 
that the good and valiant troops that were lately 
so successfully useful at Ciudad Roderigo, are 
likely to be the same under your orders, for the 
defence of our grand cause, at Alcantara. The 
Junta have lately received the agreeable news 
that the Most Excellent General Cuesta has, 
upon late occasions, been very successful in his 
attacks upon the enemy, and that his operations 
are proving very injurious to them. 

" Cuidado" — and on the edge, " Al Coronel Mayne de la Leal 
Legion Lu si tana." 

The 



APPENDIX, "H, 229 

The Junta are very sorry they cannot accord 
with your request, of placing, under the orders 
of Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, the cavalry that 
he had with him in Castille, as they are actually 
now employed with a division of our army to 
the great inconvenience of the enemy at Bozan 
and Ledesma, or they would have had great 
satisfaction in complying, in every possible man- 
ner, with your wishes. 

God preserve your Excellency many years. 
* (Signed) RAMON BLANCO, 

Governor and President, 
In the name of the Superior Junta of 
Castille. 



Letter from the Bishop of Oporto* to Colonel 
Mayne, of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion. 

Most Excellent Sir, 

I send these few lines, to assure you of the 
regard and kind memory I owe to you, and 
how much I participate in your's and Sir R. Wil- 
ion's welfare, and admire the defence you are 
making on the frontiers of this kingdom, which 
I consider of the greatest advantage ; and I am 

* Now the Venerable Patriarch of Portugal. 

q 3 glad 



230 APPENDIX, H. 

glad that you have a part to act in this defence 
equal to your valour and honour. 

I shall profit of every opportunity in which I 
may have it in my power to shew with what 
high consideration, 

I remain, &c. &c. &c. 

May God preserve your Excellency. 

(Signed) O BISPO DO PORTO. 



APPENDIX, 



( 231 ) 



APPENDIX, L 



Account of the Battle of Alcantara. 

When the French army, in Estremadura, 
abandoned the Guadiana, they attempted to 
cross the Tagus at Alcantara, On the 14th in- 
stant, this place was attacked by a division of 
10 or 12,000 men, commanded by Marshal Vic- 
tor, Duke of Belluno, in person ; they were op- 
posed by the Loyal Lusitanian Legion, with six 
pieces of canon, the militia regiment of Idanhia 
Nova, and fifty horse of the 11th Regiment 
of cavalry ; the whole commanded by Colonel 
Mayne, of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion, whose 
force did not exceed 1,800 men. 

This valiant commandant and garrison dis- 
puted the passage of the bridge of Alcantara for 
nine hours, and then retired in front of the 

q 4 enemy, 



232 



APPENDIX, I. 



enemy, so much superior to them, with all their 
artillery, to Lodiero. 

The fire of the enemy, whose whole force was 
engaged, was tremendous beyond' conception, 
although our loss was nothing in comparison 
with theirs, which at least amounted to 1,400 
men. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, the second in com- 
mand, gave the greatest assistance to Colonel 
Mayne, and these two officers are entitled to 
the greatest merit for their bravery and conduct 
on this trying occasion. The enemy's cavalry 
followed them until dusk ; but, by their judi- 
cious management, the retreat was effected in 
the greatest order. 

The courage of 1,800 Portugueze, at the 
battle of Alcantara, will remain a monument to 
posterity, and does not yield to the greatest ac- 
tions of our ancestors. 

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, in the Corps of the 
Loyal Lasilanian Legion, in the Battle of Alcantara. 

Rank and File. 
103 killed. 143 wounded, 15 missing, 

Officers 



APPENDIX, I. 



233 



Officers killed. 

Captain Vallente, 
Lieutenants Jose Louis de Brito, 
Frederigo de Freitas. 

Officers wounded. 

. Lieut. Col. Grant, slightly. 

Captains Jeronimo Pereira, badly. » 

Felix Mendoza, ditto. 

Joachim de Costa, slightly. 
Lieutenant Beltron, badly. 

Copy of a Letter ( without date) from Sir R, 
Wilson. 

My dear Mayne, 

I have had no opportunity of answering your 
letter from Lodiero, or to congratulate you, 
Grant, and the Legion, on your distinguished 
services. " Hei mihi, qudd domino non licet ire 
tuo !" Thank the officers and soldiers, in my 
name, in general orders. The promotion should 
be secured to the 1st battalion, and 1 recom- 
mend you to forward the names immediately to 
the Adjutant- General 

I shall 



234 APPENDIX, I. 

I shall be at Thomar on the 5th of June, soon 
after which I hope to see you, &c. &c. 

Believe me, ever yours, 

Most faithfully, &c. &c. 

(Signed) R. WILSON. 

To Colonel Mayne, L. L. L. 
Commanding at Alcantara, 

Copy of Marshal Beresford's Orders, Com- 
mander -in- Chief of the Portugueze Army ; 
dated Thomar, c 27th May, 1 809. 

Marshal Beresford, Commander-in-Chief of 
the Prince Regent's troops, takes the opportu- 
nity of noticing to the army the conduct of 
Colonel Mayne at the bridge of Alcantara, 
where the first battalion of the Loyal Lusitanian 
Legion defended themselves against a force of 
12,000 men, commanded by Marshal Victor, in 
person. 

The army will see, that although troops are 
sometimes obliged to retreat, at the same time 
they may cover themselves with glory, and 
merit the greatest praise. 4 

This 



APPENDIX, I. 



235 



This battalion, and their brave commandant, 
made a noble defence, and then a firm retreat in 
the greatest order. 

The discipline and subordination of the corps 
must be good. The individuals of it do not 
inquire why they advance or why they retreat, 
but do as they are ordered, which gives the 
greatest satisfaction to the Marshal, who, ap- 
proving of their brave conduct, bestows upon 
them his greatest praise. To Colonel Mayne, 
Major Grant, and to the officers and soldiers of 
the first battalion of the Loyal Lusitanian Le- 
gion, the Commander-in-chief gives his thanks 
for their conduct at the bridge of Alcantara; 
and the Marshal requests Brigadier-General Sir 
R. Wilson to let him know the names of the se- 
nior officers of each rank, that he may promote 
and recommend to the Prince Regent those who 
so well deserve it. 

(Signed) BRITO MOZINHO, 

Adjutant-General. 

After the action at Alcantara, the Prior of the 
Military Order of Alcantara insisted on taking 
the Cross of the Order from his own breast and 
affixing it to Colonel Mayne's, with the verbal 
communication that the Junta of Government 

and 



236 



APPENDIX, T. 



and War, of the Citadel and Town of Alcan- 
tara, had sent off to the Regency of Spain at 
Seville their strongest recommendation that Co- 
lonel Mayne should be particularly distinguished 
with the Order for his conduct in the action of 
Alcantara. 

Copy of a Letter from Colonel D'Urhan, Quar- 
ter- Mas ter -General to Marshal Beresford's 
Army ; dated Coimbra % May 25, 1809. 

My dear Colonel, 

I cannot send off a packet to General 
M'Kenzie, without writing these few lines to 
you, to say that the conduct and gallantry of 
your people has the highest praise and approba- 
tion of the Marshal, and all here. 

I have sent to Sir R. Wilson all you wished. 
I am faithfully and truly yours, 

(Signed) B. D'URBAN. 

To Colonel Mayne, Commandant 
of Alcantara. 

Soon after these events, General M'Kenziedid 
Colonel Mayne the honour to appoint him to 

command 



APPENDIX, 1. 



237 



command the van of the allied armv* moving 
into Spain. He then returned to the post of Al- 
cantara. 



Inscriptions on the Grand Arch of the Bridge of 
Alcantara. 

IMP:CAESARI:DIVI:NERVAE:F:NERVAE: 
TRAIANO:AVG:GERftl:DACICO:PONTIF: 
MAX:TRIB:POTES:VIII:lMP:V:COS:V:P.P: 



IMP:NERVAE:TRAIANO:CAES:AVGVSTO: 
GERMANICO-DACICO:SACRVM: 
TEMPLVM:IN:RVP:TAGI:SVPERIS:ET: 
CAES ARE: PLENVM:ARS:VBI: MATERIA: 

VINCITVR:IPS.A:SVA:QVIS:QVALI: 
DEDERIT:VOTO:FORTASE:REQVIRET: 
CVRA:VIATORVM:QVOS:NOVJEAM: 
I V V AT: ING ENTEM : V AST A : PO NTE M: QVT: 
MOLE:PEREGIT:SACRA:LITATVOR: 

FECIT:IIONORE:LACER:QVI: 
PONTEM:FECIT:LACER:ET:NOVA: 
TEMPLA:DICAVIT:SCILLICET:ET: 
SVP£RIS:MVNERA:SOLA:LITANT: 
PONTEM:PERPETVI:MANSVRVM:IN: 
SECVLA:MVNDI:FECIT:DIVINA:NOVILIS: 

* Extract from Colonel Mayne's Dispatch to Marshal Be- 
resford, dated Lodiero, May 14th. — " With respect to the 
Portugueze corps under my command, I have only to wish 
that their gallant conduct may prove them worthy of being 
joined to a British army." 

ARTE: 



238 



APPENDIX, li 



ARTE:LACER:IDEM:ROMVLIES: 
TEMPLVM:CVM:CAES:D1VIS: 
C0NSTITV1T:F(ELIX:VTRAQVE:GAVSA: 
SACRI:C:IVLIV8:LACER:II:S:F:ET: 
DEDICAVIT:AMICO:CVRIO:LACONE: 
IGAEDITANO. 



The following Address Colonel Mayne received 
from the Officers of the Loyal Lusitanian 
Legion. 

The officers of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion, 
who have had the honour of serving under the 
command of the illustrious Colonel Mayne, in 
gratitude for the distinguished and reiterated 
marks of honourable praise which they have re- 
ceived under his orders, and, for the kind bene- 
volence which he has always equally extended to 
the officer and to the soldier, beg leave to re- 
quest that he will receive a small testimony of 
their sincere regard, which, although unworthy 
of his merit, they hope he will consider as ap- 
propriate to the occasion. 

A sword, with the following inscription : 

OUTSIDE. 

Todos os officials do V batalho da Leal Legiao 
Lusitana a Offerecem ao sen estimado amigo o 

illusirissimo 



APPENDIX, I. 239 

illustrissimo Senhor Coronel William Mayne, 
Cavalliero de Alcantara. 

INSIDE. 

Presented by all the officers of the first batta- 
lion of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion, to their 
esieemed friend Colonel William Mayne, Knight 
of the Military Order of Alcantara. 

(Signed) 

Joao Paes de Sande de Castro, Tenente Coronel. 
Duclesiano Cabreira, Major Commandante d'Ar- 
tilheria. 

Filippe Jacob Veloso Horta, Capitao Mandante. 
Jose Pinto Sa Vedra e Nevile, Capitao. 
Francisco de Paula Rozado, Capitao. 
Joao Pinto da Orunha Sa Vedra, Capitao. 
Joaquim Elias da Costa e Almeida, Capitao 
Ajudante. 

Francisco Joaquim Pereira Valente, Capitao. 
Thomaz Joaquim Pereira Valente, Capitao. 
Pedro Celestino de Barros, Capitao. 
Jose Estanislao d'Almeida Rolin, Capitao Quar- 

tel Mestre. 
Carlos Jose Francozi, Tenente. 
Joaquim Pinto e Souza, Tenente. 
Antonio Carlos Pereira da Silva, Tenente. 
Federico Cezar de Freitas, Tenente. 

Jorge 



240 



APPENDIX, I, 



Jorge daPonseca, Tenente. 
Andre Camacho Jorge Barboza, Tenente, 
Jose Bernardino de Sousa Castro, Tenente. 
Jose" Cazimiro Pereira da Rocha, Alferes. 
Jos6 Ribeiro Pinto de Moura, Alferes. 
Joao Jose Gomes da Silva, Capitao. 

% Brigada de Artilheria. 

Manoel Jose Ribeiro, 1° Tenente, 
Cento Marques, 2° Tenente. 
Thome* Madeira, 2° Tenente. 
Joao Manoel d'Almeida, Alferes. 

Colonel Mayne's Ansxver to the Address of the 
Officers of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion. 

Nothing can be more flattering to the feelings 
of a soldier, than the approbation of brave men ! 
And the distinguished mark I have just received 
of yours, is as highly gratifying to me as the 
satisfaction I shall always feel in reflecting that 
I have served two campaigns in Spain and Por- 
tugal with you, and the brave soldiers of the 
Loyal Lusitanian Legion ! 

(Signed) WILLIAM MAYNE. 

Camp near LoDuero, Midnight, 14 May. 

Sir, 

I did myself the honour to report to you last 
night from the camp at Alcantara, of the ad- 
vance 



APPENDIX, I. 



241 



vance of the enemy, and of our out-posts being 
drawn in. 

I retained the cavalry in the town of Alcantara 
during the night, with a guard of 50 infantry, 
keeping patroles, videts, &c. to ascertain the 
immediate approach of the enemy, and as the 
battle is not always given to the strong, I flat- 
tered myself that my letter of last night would 
have been followed by a more pleasing one than 
this. 

At eight o'clock this morning Lieutenant- 
Colonel Grant perceiving three columns of the 
enemy approaching in three different directions, 
with artillery and cavalry, on the road from 
Brozas, behaved with his usual circumspection ; 
and having ascertained their strength, 10,000 
infantry, 1500 cavalry, and 12 pieces of artil- 
lery, some of them 8 and others 12-pounders, 
very deliberately fell back on the position 1 had 
taken, destroyed the passes on either side of the 
bridge, which had been formed so as to be 
moved when the cavalry had passed over. Our 
artillery fired with great effect on the enemy 
entering the town, covering at the same time 
Lieutenant-Colonel Grant as he passed with his 
detachment over the bridge to join me. 

r Our 



APPENDIX, f. 



Our batteries, composed of 6 guns of the Le- 
gion, were formed with fascines, gabions, &c. 
and calculated to defend the bridge ; the infantry 
were formed on the heights, under the cover of 
some temporary breast works. 

About nine o'clock a very tremendous fire 
commenced from the two sides of the Tagus, 
which continued incessant; about 12 o'clock 
the militia regiment of Idania Nova, not be- 
ing accustomed to any thing of this kind, 
and witnessing their officers and men falling and 
wounded on every side, made a precipitate re- 
treat in a body leaving me occupying the heights 
of Alcantara, with the remnant of the Loyal 
Lusitanian Legion, (500 men) and the batteries 
- of artillery. 

The French at one o'clock had seven guns all 
posted, bearing upon our position, and I thought 
it advisable to put fire to the mine of the bridge 
of Alcantara, the last act of the munificence and 
grandeur of Trajan, (Augustus Caesar,) and per- 
haps so truly venerable, that it ought not to be 
disturbed, and it only blew up on one side, leav- 
ing a free passage for the enemy across the 
Tagus. 



Thus 



APPENDIX, I* 



£43 



Thus situated, 1£00 men of the Idania Regi- 
ment having basely left me, I had only one resort, 
which was, to give Lieutenant-Colonel Grant 
the command of the main battery, as the only 
means of preventing the enemy immediately 
pressing upon me while I effected a retreat. 
The cavalry of Almeida being reduced by fa- 
tigue from 50 to 20, were no cover to me, I 
therefore thought it advisable to sacrifice one 
field-piece for the security of the three others 
and the two howitzers; and finding Lieutenant 
Colonel Grant very ready to undertake the 
fighting of the main battery with this one piece, 
I moved away with the other five, and he did 
this from two o'clock to three: and I should be 
doing little justice to his magnanimity, (if I 
thought myself of sufficient consequence,) to 
say, that he met with my most grateful approba- 
tion. Alcantara can never be named but he 
with it must be remembered. Our ammunition 
being nearly wasted, and our killed and wound- 
ed surrounding us, it was absolutely necessary 
to adopt this mode of retreat with the few brave 
Lusitanians that were left ; and to secure my 
artillery, the remaining gun was spiked and ren- 
dered of no use to the enemy on Lieutenant- 
Colonel Grant's leaving it to its fate — after he 
had continued to fire it for one hour to the great 
R 2 deception 



244 



APPENDIX, t. 



deception of the enemy, giving me time enough 
to pass .the plain country, before the enemy's 
cavalry appeared on the Alcantara side of the 
bridge of Seguro. 

When Lieutenant-Colonel Grant retired upon 
me, 100 cavalry were close to us, and ready to 
move upon my infantry, who were much ex- 
posed ; but by a ruse de guerre, shewing only four 
horsemen in front, and causing a distant firing 
of the Cacadores, they unexpectedly retired, and 
I learn by a peasant, since to Alcantara. 

A painful task now remains for my attention 
tinder existing circumstances, which is, to de- 
tail our killed and wounded ; and although our 
loss is severe, I am given to understand it is no- 
thing in comparison with that of the enemy's, 
which has been immense, from the large and nu- 
merous body that was exposed to our batteries. 

Loyal Lusitanian Legion, 

Killed. — 103 rank and file ; Captain Valente, 
a most valuable officer ; Captain Jeronimo Pe- 
reira, late Adjutant, a promising officer ; Alferes 
Frederigo de Treitas, a promising officer ; and 
Lieutenant Jose Louis de Brito. 

Wounded. 



APPENDIX, I. 



245 



Wounded* — 143 rank and file ; Lieut. Colonel 
Grant, slightly; Lieutenant Felix Mendoza, 
badly, since dead; Lieutenant Beltron, badly, 
and Joachim de Costa, slightly. 

Missing. — 15 rank and file ; 2 subalterns. 



Killed. — 2 Captains, 40 rank and file, 1 Lieu- 
tenant. 

Wounded. — 17 rank and file, 1 Lieutenant. 
Missing. — 4 subalterns, 1 150. 

I have the honour to be, &c. 



#c. %c. 8fC. 

P. S. As soon as I can learn the intention and 
the movements of the enemy, I will write again. 



Idania Nova Regiment. 



(Signed) 




To Major-General Mackenzie, 



r 3 APPENDIX, 



( 246 ) 



APPENDIX, K a 

BATTLE OF TALAVERA. 



Letter from Major-General Mackenzie to Sir 
Robert Wilson, dated Casalegas, %6th July> 
1809. 

Half past 1 1 o'clock, A. M, 

Dear Sir Robert, 

THE French have united their forces, (said 
to be 45,000 men,) and are advancing on Cuesta, 
who.is retiring behind the Alberche; I have been 
called over here to join General Sherbrooke, 
and am directed by him to say, that the divi- 
sions of the British army here will also fall back 
to join the rest of the army behind the Alberche, 
so that you will make such movements as will 
correspond with this, and insure the safety of 
your corps. Every thing promises a general 
action soon. 

Always most faithfully yours, 

(Signed) J. R. MACKENZIE, 

&rig,"Gen. Sir Robert Wilson, 



Tatavcra, 



APPENDIX, K. 



247 



Talavera, and the Positions of the respective 
Armies. 



Joseph Buonaparte, styling himself King 
of Spain, by the 26th of July had concentra- 
ted the whole of the disposable French force 
between Torrijos and Toledo, amounting to 
nearly 50,000 men, and consisting of the corps 
of Marshal Victor, General Sebastiani, 9,000 
of Joseph's guards, and the garrison of Ma- 
drid. And on this day a heavy cannonade com- 
menced soon after day-light, and continued 
until four in the afternoon, when the comman- 
der of the forces, who had rid out at an early 
hour, returned from the field in high spirits. 
The action was betwixt the advance of the 
French and the Spanish out-posts, which fell 
back upon the position heretofore occupied by 
the enemy on the Alberche. The Spaniards lost 
from 3 to 400 in killed and wounded ; several of 
the latter were brought into Talavera in the 
course of the afternoon. 



The cannonade was renewed next morning, 
r 4 the 



248 



APPENDIX, K. 



the 27th ; and the Spaniards, covered by the 
British cavalry, and Major-General Mackenzie's 
division of infantry, continued to retire upon the 
town. As the day advanced, the intention of 
the enemy to try the issue of a general engage- 
ment, became no longer doubtful; and about 3 
P. M. liis columns, which moved forward after 
crossing the Alberche with great rapidity, having 
approached within two leagues of Talavera, the 
several divisions of the British army were placed 
in the positions previously chosen, where they 
remained awaiting the attack. Brigadier- Gene- 
ral Alexander Campbell with two brigades of 
infantry, was posted on the right, near an un- 
finished redoubt: the Guards, General Came- 
ron's brigade, and the King's German Legion, 
formed the centre, under Lieutenant-General 
Sherbrookb; and Major-General Hill's division 
extended along the rising grounds on the left, 
flanked by a heavy battery. Major-General 
Mackenzie, who commanded the advance, had 
previously withdrawn his troops after the whole 
of the Spaniards recrossed the Alberche; and 
this movement was executed with the utmost 
judgment and ability by that gallant officer. 
His division formed a second line in rear of the 
centre. 



The 



APPENDIX, K. 249 

The cavalry was commanded by Lieutenant- 
General Payne. Major- General Cotton's light 
brigade supported the right and centre ; Briga- 
dier-Gene) al Anson's, and the heavy brigade 
under General Fane, were on the left. Briga- 
dier-General Howarth commanded the Royal 
Artillery, and the several batteries were under 
the superintendance of Lieut. -Colonels Kobe 
and Framlingham. 

The ground in front of the British was prin- 
cipally open, but intersected with roads leading 
to the town, and the bed of a small river, which 
had been formed by the winter torrents, and was 
at present dry. 

The Spanish infantry, formed in two lines, and 
supported by the King's regt. of cavalry, were 
posted behind the mud enclosures of the olive 
grounds and vineyards, extending from the right 
of General Alexander Campbell's position to the 
suburbs and town of Talavera, which they also 
occupied, having their right flanked by the 
Tagus. 

The Duke of Albuquerque was in rear of the 
left of the whole line, with the main body of the 
Spanish cavalry, and Lieutenant- General Don 

Luis 



250 



APPENDIX, K. 



Luis Bassecourt was subsequently placed with 
about 3,000 light troops in the valley below 
the left of the British, to keep in check a body of 
the enemy which appeared in the mountains 
beyond, which were, however, at too great a 
distance to have any effect upon the impending 
contest. 

The Spanish army was commanded by Cuesta, 
General-in-chief, and the several divisions of 
infantry were under the orders of Lieutenant- 
Generals Don Francisco de Eguia, second in 
command, the Marquis del Portago, Don Rafail 
Maglano, and Don Juan de Henestrosa. 

The French army, in number nearly 50,000 
strong, was commanded by Marshal Victor, 
assisted by Marshal Jourdain and General Se- 
bastiani, under the direction of Joseph Buona- 
parte in person. 

About half past six o'clock the enemy ap- 
peared in considerable force on the heights op- 
posite the centre of the British line, and opened 
a heavy cannonade of shot and shells, which 
was instantaneously returned from the principal 
battery placed on a commanding eminence in 
the rear of General Hill's division. At the 

same 



APPENDIX, K. 



251 



same time the French made a vigorous attack on 
the left, where, after a most obstinate conflict, 
they were completely repulsed at the point of 
the bayonet. The enemy also pushed forward 
several corps of infantry, supported by a strong 
division of cavalry on the right, with a view of 
carrying the town ofTalavera, in which object 
he failed, and was driven back by the fire from 
the Spanish batteries. The cannonade conti- 
nued on both sides until dusk. 

In the course of the night the enemy made a 
second assault upon the height ; from whence, 
after gaining a momentary possession, he was 
dislodged by General Hill, with prodigious 
slaughter. 

At two in the morning the Spanish line was 
alarmed at all points, by the approach of the 
enemy's light troops, who were received with a 
brisk discharge of musquetry, which ceased in 
about 10 minutes, when the silence of night 
again prevailed on the field of battle. At length 
day light broke upon the contending armies, 
who were drawn up opposite to each other in 
the positions they respectively occupied at the 
beginning of the action on the preceding even- 
ing. About six the engagement was renewed, 

and 



252 



APPENDIX, K. 



and continued without intermission until eleven 
o'clock, when the firing ceased, as if by mutual 
consent, for nearly three hours, during which 
interval, the French appeared to be employed in 
cooking, and the British army reposed on the 
ground, seemingly regardless of the enemy's 
presence. It was at this time also, the wounded 
Were carried off to the rear; and while engaged 
in this painful duty, the British and French sol- 
diers shook hands with each other, and express- 
ed their admiration of the gallantry displayed by 
the troops of both nations. The principal efforts 
of the French throughout the morning, were 
again directed upon the left; but Major-General 
Hill successfully repelled every attempt to turn 
his position, and obliged the enemy to retire 
with considerable loss. 

Sir Arthur Wellesley with his staff, observed 
the progress of the battle on a height to the left 
of the British line. From this point he witnessed 
every movement that was made, and in the 
midst of the hottest fire issued the necessary 
orders with characteristic coolness and judg- 
ment. Two of his aides-de-camp, Captains 
Bouverie and Burgh were wounded by his side. 



At 1 P. M. the enemy was observed bringing 



APPENDIX, K. 



253 



up fresh troops and forming his columns, appa- 
rently for the purpose of renewing the action ; 
and in fact, about two o'clock, the French again 
advanced under a heavy cannonade, and made 
a general attack upon the whole of the position 
occupied by the British. 

The enemy's attacking columns on the right, 
had arrived within a short distance of the un- 
finished redoubt, when General Alexander 
Campbell made a vigorous charge with his divi- 
sion, supported by two battalions of Spanish in- 
fantry, and drove them back with the loss of 
their artillery. 

The efforts of the enemy on the left were 
equally unsuccessful as before, and a charge 
made by Brigadier-General Anson with the 23d 
Light Dragoons and German Hussars, upon a 
solid column of infantry, although attended 
wish a severe loss to the former regiment, had 
the effect of checking their further advance in 
that direction. 

Meanwhile the centre was warmly engaged. 
Exactly at three o'clock several heavy columns 
advanced upon this point, and deployed with 
the utmost precision into line as they en- 
tered 



254 APPENDIX, K. 

tered the plain which lay betwixt the heights 
occupied by the hostile armies. This was the 
grand attack ; and on the first indication of the 
enemy's intention, General Sherbrooke gave di- 
rections that his division should prepare for the 
charge. At this awful moment all was silent, 
except a few guns of the enemy, answered by 
the British artillery on the hill. The French 
came on over the rough and broken ground in 
the valley, in the most imposing manner, and 
with great resolution, and were met by the 
British with their usual undaunted firmness. 
As if with one accord, the division advanced 
against the enemy, whose ranks were speedily 
broken, and thrown into confusion by a well- 
directed volley. The impetuosity of the soldiers 
was not to be repressed; and the brigade on the 
immediate left of the Guards being halted, that 
flank, from its advanced situation in the eager- 
ness of pursuit, became exposed to the enemy, 
who had already given way and deserted his 
guns on the hill in front, until observing this 
part of the line unsupported, the French rallied, 
and returned with increased numbers to their 
attack upon the centre. 

Brigadier- General Harry Campbell now gave 
orders for the Guards to retire to their original 

position 



APPENDIX, K. 



255 



position in line, and the 1st battalion of the 48th 
Regiment was directed to cover this movement 
by the Commander of the Forces, who saw and 
provided for every emergency during this tre- 
mendous conflict. Foiled at all points, the 
French withdrew the remains of the columns 
which had been unsuccessfully opposed to the 
centre; they however, continued the fire of their 
artillery, and the engagement, which had been 
renewed this morning with the rising of the sun, 
ceased only with its setting. 

About six in the evening the long dry grass 
having caught fire, the flames spread rapidly over 
the field of action, and consumed in their fatal 
progress, numbers of the dead and wounded. 

A dim and cheerless moon threw a faint lustre 
over the surrounding objects after the close of 
day. Small parties were sent out to bring in the 
wounded ; the enemy was employed in a similar 
manner, and had made large fires along the front 
of his extensive line. 

The troops lay upon their arms this second 
night, without provisions of any kind — water 
even was scarce. It was fully expected that the 
French would renew the attack in the morning, 

but 



256 



APPENDIX, K, 



but they retired under cover of the night, leav- 
ing in the hands of the British 20 pieces of artil- 
lery, and some prisoners. Their rear-guard, 
consisting of cavalry, alone remained on the 
right bank of the Alberche at day-break. The 
retreat was certainly conducted with ability, and 
was not generally known in the British army 
until long after the enemy had abandoned his 
position. 

* * : 
This brilliant victory over an enemy so in- 
finitely superior in numbers, has not been achiev- 
ed without a considerable loss both of valuable 
officers and men. That of the enemy, however, 
to judge from the appearance of the field, must 
be immense. 

Soon after 8 o'clock, the British quitted their 
positions in the field, and again hutted in the 
wood of Olives. About nine the light brigade 
under General Robert Crawford arrived, having 
marched twelve Spanish leagues in the preceding 
24 hours. 

Information received from a French Officer taken 
Prisoner. — Report of Marshal Soult advanc- 
ing on Placentia. 

Talavera de la Reyna, 1st Aug. 1809. 

Motives of curiosity induced several officers 

to 



APPENDIX, K. 



£57 



to visit Talavera on the afternoon of the 29th 
July. The town appeared almost deserted ; 
here and there a few soldiers were walking about 
looking for the quarters of their wounded com- 
rades. The houses were for the greater part 
shut up ; the inhabitants, previous to the en- 
gagement, had tied across the Tagus with their 
most valuable effects, and had not yet returned. 

The French are said to be continuing their 
retreat. From an officer who was taken prisoner 
on the banks of the Tagus, the following infor- 
mation has been obtained. 



When the combined army arrived in front of 
Talavera on the ggd of July; 

Marshal Victor's force amounted to - 28,000 

Joined him from Toledo - 8,000 
On the 25th two Regiments of cavalry, 

the 14th and 26th infantry. 
Joseph Buonaparte arrived on the after- 
noon of the 2?th, with the Guards^ 8,000 
from Madrid. J 

Total number of the enemy engaged 47,000 

Joseph retreated on the evening of the 23th, 
and slept at Casale^as. 



3,000 



f5i 



APPENDIX, K< 



9,000 



On the 29th his Guards moved for-} 

ward to Santa Olalla, when theyV 8,000 
halted for the night. - -3 

Late on that day a division was sent) 
off towards Toledo of - ) 

Killed and wounded on the 27th and) 

28th, fully - - - - ( 8 >°° 

Remains with Victor - 22,000 

The above facts stated by this officer, accord 
with the information received from two dra- 
goons taken with him, examined separately, and 
also with the intelligence obtained from the 
Alcalde at Ceballa, who is known by the ma- 
gistrates to be a true patriot; to a certainty 
Joseph is off, but whether to Madrid or Toledo 
this officer does not know. It is equally certain 
that a strong division was sent off on the even- 
ing of the 29th, to sustain Toledo. 

Sebastiani had a command in the battle, and 
Marshal Jourdain remained with Joseph Buona- 
parte until he quitted the field. Victor com- 
manded under the immediate direction of Joseph. 

The French army is in the greatest distress for 
provisions, and the troops have had little bread 
from the day they were first driven out of 
Talavera, and none from the 27th until the 3 1st, 

when 



APPENDIX, K. 



259 



when 4,000 pounds of biscuit arrived from Ma- 
drid, and a further supply was expected, but this 
is supposed to have been taken. The whole of 
the French from Victor down to the lowest sol- 
dier, are discontented with the war in Spain, and 
all wish to return to their own country. 

On the arrival of Joseph on the 2/th, he pub- 
licly reproached Victor for not having beaten 
or taken the British and Spanish armies already, 
and assured the army that this should be done 
on the 28th. He was seen on the evening of 
that day retiring from the field, the picture of 
melancholy and disappointment. 

This prisoner heard Victor say, on the after- 
noon of the 28th, that he felt himself abandoned 
by Soult. On the 30th it was known in the 
French army, that the latter was coming round 
by Placentia with 12,000 men. 

When the troops came from Toledo to join 
Victor, there were only 1500 left in that city, 
and Joseph withdrew the whole of the garrison 
from Madrid, except about 3,000 men, . of whom 
a part were stationed in the port of El R,etiro. 



It caused much consternation in the French 
s 2 army 



260 



APPENDIX, lv. 



army to hear, during the engagement, that 
Toledo was bombarded by Venegas, (whose 
operations were restrained by an order of the 
Junta,) and that the British had been reinforced 
by General Crawford's division. 

General Morlot was killed, and Laplisse receiv- 
ed a mortal wound on the 28th, of which he died 
the next day. An immense number of Colonels 
and Field Officers were killed and wounded, and 
the oldest soldiers in the French army declared 
the day after the action, that they had never 
seen more determined fighting; and all agreed, 
that in the war with Spain this was the first time 
they had met with soldiers. 

They wondered where the Spaniards were; as 
their position was covered with wood, our allies 
were not seen by the French. 

The sick and wounded of the army are in a 
shocking state ; and this prisoner thinks the re- 
treat is suspended to give as much time as pos- 
sible to send away the wounded, which is almost 
impracticable, as they have scarcely any means 
of conveyance. 

All letters from France are opened by order of 

Joseph 



APPENDIX, K. 



261 



Joseph Buonaparte, and those burned which 
contain bad news. The French army, however, 
has heard of Napoleon's defeat in Austria. 

The report of this day is, that Marshal Souk 
is advancing with 12 or 15,000 men on Placen- 
tia, from which he was only 10 leagues distant 
on the 30th ultimo. 



APPENDIX, 



( 262 ) 



APPENDIX, L. 

THE LEGION OBLIGE THE FRENCH TO RETREAT 
TO MAQUEDA. 

4 

[FROM THE MONITEUR.] 

Paris, Sept. 27, 1809. 

Report to the King, commanding the French 
Armies in Spain. 

Sire, 

Your Majesty has ordered me to draw up a 
general report of the operations of the army, 
from the 23d of July last to the 15th instant. I 
have strictly complied with your commands. 

Before I give your Majesty an account of the 
marches of the different corps of the army, and 
the brilliant actions which have conferred glory 
on the Imperial troops, I think it necessary, for 
the elucidation of my Report, to describe the 
position of the respective corps of the Imperial 
army, and that of the hostile armies, on the 
20th of July. v 

Position of the Imperial Army, and of the Enc 
my' s Army, on the Wth July, I8O9. 

At this time the 4th corps, commanded by 

General 



APPENDIX, U 



263 



General Sebastiani, was posted at Consuegra and 
Madrilejos, watching the army of Venegas, 
30,000 strong. This army occupied Manzana- 
res and Daymiel, and had its advanced posts on 
the Guadiana. 

The 1st corps, commanded by Marshal the 
Duke of Belluno, was posted on the left bank 
of the Alberche, in front of Casalegas, covering 
the pass from Talavera towards Madrid. The 
advanced guard of this corps of the army occu- 
pied Talavera de la Reyna. 

Marshal the Duke of Belluno watched the 
army of Cuesta, 30,000 strong, which had cross- 
ed to the right bank of the Tagus, by a bridge 
thrown over that river at Almaraz, and by the 
bridge of Arzobispo. 

Your Majesty had received orders from his 
Imperial and Royal Majesty, directing that the 
Duke of Dalmatia should unite, under his com- 
mand, the 2d, 5th, and 6th corps, consisting of 
80 battalions and 30 squadrons, amounting to 
upwards of 60,000 effective men ; that he should 
march against the English, should seek them out 
wherever they might be, and engage them. 



Meanwhile 



264 APPENDIX, L. 

Meanwhile the 2d corps still occupied Sala- 
manca and Zamora. 

The 5th corps was in Valladolid and its en- 
virons, and the 6th occupied Benevente, Astoi> 
ga, and Leon. The latter corps had in its front 
the troops commanded by La Romana, and the 
insurgents of Galicia and the Asturias, 

Independently of the armies of the insurgents, 
report announced that an English army, 30,000 
strong, was assembling in the environs of Pla^ 
centia, under the command of General Wel- 
les ley. 

On the 22d July, your Majesty received intel- 
ligence from Marshal the Duke of Belluno, that 
the English army, under the command of Gene- 
ral Wellesley, had formed a junction between 
the Tagus and the Tietar, with the army of Cu- 
esta, and that this combined force was on its 
march towards Talavera ; while a corps of eight 
or ten thousand men, commanded by General 
Wilson, was advancing towards Escalona, along 
the right bank of the Alberche. The danger 
was imminent ; and it was necessary to take de- 
cided measures. 



The 



APPENDIX, L. 265 

The same day, (22d,) your Majesty sent orders 
to Marshal the Duke of Dalmatia to unite 
speedily, at Salamanca, the three corps of the 
army under his command, and to advance rapid- 
ly to Placentia, in order to break the line of 
operation of the hostile army. You, at the same 
time, ordered General Sebastiani to proceed, by 
forced marches, with the 4th corps, from Ma- 
drilejos to Toledo. Your Majesty left Madrid 
in the night between the 22d and 23d, with your 
reserve composed of the Royal Guard, and the 
brigade of General Oudinot, formed of the 12th 
regiment of infantry, the 51st regiment of the 
line, and the 27th regiment of horse chasseurs. 
The command of this reserve was entrusted to 
the General of Division Dessolles. 

In proceeding to Naval-Carnero, your Ma- 
jesty had a two-fold object : to check the march 
of General Wilson, who endeavoured to get in 
the rear of the 1st corps, by Escalona; and to 
form a junction with Marshal the Duke of Bel- 
luno, with a view to enable him to keep the ene- 
my in check till the junction of the 4th corps> 
and till the result of the march of Marshal the 
Duke of Dalmatia should be ascertained. 



Meanwhile, in the evening of the 23d, Mar- 
shal 



t6() APPENDIX, L. 

shal the Duke of Belluno informed your Majes- 
ty, that, on the 22d, the advanced guard of his 
corps of the army had been obliged to quit Ta- 
lavera de la Reyna, and to retire along the left 
bank of the Alberche ; that he was certain he 
should be attacked on the 24th, by the com- 
bined armies of the English and Cuesta; and 
that, unwilling to hazard the 1st corps against 
such a superior force, he should march in the 
night between the 23d and 24th, and proceed 
in two days to the left bank of the Guadarama, 
at its conflux with the Tagus, near Toledo, in 
order to effect a junction with the 4th corps. 
Your Majesty will highly approve the movement 
of Marshal the Duke of Belluno ; for, if that 
Marshal had retreated upon Naval-Carnero, in- 
stead of retiring to Toledo, the junction of the 
1 st and 4th corps would have been rendered ex 
tremely difficult, and perhaps even impossible. 

It is likewise very certain, that Marshal the 
Duke of Belluno had formed a correct judgment 
of the designs of the enemy. Orders found 
upon the Officers have proved, that the 1st corps 
was to have been attacked, on the morning of 
the 24th, by the English army and that of Cu- 
esta, in its position on the Alberche, whilst 
Wilson's corps was to have endeavoured to cut 

off 



APPENDIX, L. 



267 



off its retreat towards Madrid, by advancing 
from Escalona upon Naval-Carnero. 

Your Majesty, on receiving the letter of Mar- 
shal the Duke of Belluno, took the resolution of 
proceeding also towards Toledo, with your re- 
serve, in order to form a junction with the 1st 
and 4th corps, and to present to the enemy a 
body, imposing, not from its numbers, but from 
its valour. 

On the 24th, your Majesty advanced with 
your reserve to Cavanara, three leagues from 
Toledo. The next day, the 25th, you fixed 
your head-quarters at Bargas. 

The same day, General Sebastiani, after ably 
disguising his movements from Venegas, arrived 
with the 4th corps at Toledo. Lastly, the 1st 
corps had taken a position on the left bank of 
the Guadarama ; so that all the troops which it 
was in your Majesty's power to oppose to the 
enemy, were united. 

Your Majesty ordered a detachment to be left 
at Toledo, to guard that city and the bridges. 

On the 26th, your Majesty ordered the whole 

army 



26*8 



APPENDIX, L. 



army to pass over the bridge of Guadarama, and 
advance upon Torrijos. The first corps opened 
the march. General Latour Maubourg com- * 
marided the whole of the cavalry of the 1st 
corps, to which your Majesty had joined the 
division of light cavalry, under General Merlin, 
which had previously been attached to the 4th 
corps. 

On the 25th, Cuesta's army took up a posi- 
tion at Santa Olalla; it was to continue its 
march on the 26th, to advance upon Toledo, 
with a view to attempt a junction with Venegas. 
The English army had not yet quitted Talavera, 
but had pushed its advanced guard to Casale- 
gas, on the left bank of the Alberche. Wilson's 
corps had continued its movement, and had 
pushed its advanced posts to Naval-Carnero. 

(Then follows the account of the battle of Ta- 
lavera, during which battle the Legion had 
marched from Naval-Carnero and the neigh- 
bourhood of Mostoloz, to rejoin Lord Welling- 
ton, by his order received on the morning of the 
27th ; but the French army intervening, they 
were lodged, during that battle, in a wood half 
a mile from Casalegas, the head -quarters of Jo- 
seph, and immediately in the rear of the enemy's 

army. 



APPENDIX, L. 



209 



army. After that battle they voluntarily re-ad- 
vanced to remove the French from their position, 
and thus the enemy certifies the success of that 
very interesting operation. 

" On the 31st, the 4th corps and the reserve 
rested. 

" In the night between the 31st July and the 
1st August, Marshal the Duke of Belluno in- 

•med your Majesty, that he was apprised that 
the English army still remained at Talavera, with 
that of Cuesta ; and that a Portugueze column 
had put itself in motion among the mountains, to 
turn the right of the first corps ; he added, that, 
in consequence of this intelligence, he should quit 
his position, and retire upon Jllaqueda. On the 
other hand, your Majesty was informed, that 
Venegas had withdrawn from before Toledo part 
of his troops who had attacked that place ; that 
he was concentrating his forces upon Aranjuez, 
and that he manifested an intention of marching 
towards Madrid. Your Majesty then thought 
fit to post the 4th corps and the reserve in such 
a manner, as to enable them to advance rapidly 
either upon the 1st corps, to impede the march 
of the combined and discomfited army, or upon 

Venegas, 



270 



APPENDIX, L. 



Vetiegas, if his army attempted to march towards 
Madrid. 

Your Majesty, in consequence, ordered that a 
garrison should be left at Toledo, under the 
command of the Adjutant-Commandant Moc- 
querey, whom you appointed Governor of that 
place, and that the reserve and the 4th corps 
should march, and take up a position, on the 
1st August, at Illescas. General Milhaud re- 
ceived orders to send out strong parties of ca- 
valry in the direction of Valdemoro, to watch 
the motions of the army of Vencgas. Venegas 
caused his advanced posts to fall back, and 
merely kept an advanced guard on the right 
bank of the Tagus, in front of Aranjuez. — Au- 
gust the 2d and 3d, the 4th corps and the reserve 
remained in their positions. 

August the 2d, the Duke of Belluno inform- 
ed your Majesty by letter that the enemy ap- 
peared in the direction of Escalona, on the right 
bank of the Alberche; that the parties which 
had been sent from Escalona to Numbella had 
been attacked "by some troops of the enemy's 
cavalry.* The Marshal added, that he had sent 

* The mounted officers and 14 dragoons, attached to the 
Legion, which had no other cavalry at that time. 

two 



APPENDIX, X. 



£71 



two regiments of dragoons with orders to ob- 
serve what was passing there ; and that if he 
learned that the enemy was directing his course 
to that point, he would retire upon Mostoloz ;* 
but that, in the contrary case, he should remain 
at Maqueda. 

The report of the Duke of Belluno did not 
announce the march of the combined army : it 
related only to Wilson's corps, which manifested 
an intention of annoying the right of the first 
corps. Your Majesty then thought that it was 
not yet time to join the 1st corps with the 4th, 
and the reserve ; but with a view to facilitate 
their junction, if it should be found necessary, 
you proceeded with your reserve, in the night 
between the 3d and 4th of August, to Mostoloz, 
and the 4th corps remained at Illescas, to conti- 
nue to watch the army of Venegas. 

Fresh reports addressed to your Majesty on 
the 4th, by Marshal the Duke of Belluno, stated, 
that the combined army had not yet advanced, 
that it had only pushed on some cavalry to- 
wards Santa Olalla, and that the corps which 

* Behind the Guadarama river, three leagues from 
Madrid. 

was 



272 



APPENDIX, L, 



was at Numbella was not supported by a consi- 
derable body, as it bad been reported that it 
was. The Marshal added, that he had made 
arrangements for attacking* General Wilson, at 
Numbella, on the morning of the 5th. 

Your Majesty left Mostoloz in the night be- 
tween the 4th and oth, to proceed towards Val- 
demoro. General Sebastiani received orders to 
advance likewise with the 4th corps, from Illes- 
cas to Valdemoro, where your Majesty immedi- 
ately directed it to pursue the road of Aranjuez, 
in order to attack the advanced guard of the 
army of Venegas, which was on the right bank 
of the Tagus, between that river and the Tajona. 
Your Majesty's orders were executed. The ad- 
vanced guard of Venegas, 10,000 strong, was 
routed, and obliged to fall back on the left bank 
of the Tagus. The enemy destroyed his bridges. 
On the 6th, the 4th corps and the reserve re- 
mained in their position. 

Marshal the Duke of Belluno, by letter of the 
oth August, acquainted your Majesty, that Vi- 
latte's division, which had been directed to at- 
tack General Wilson at Numbella, had found no 
enemy there ; that General Wilson had retired 
on the 4th ; and that the inhabitants of Num- 
bella 



APPEXDIX, L. 



373 



bella stated bis retreat to bave been occasioned 
by the arrival of a corps of French troops at 
Placentia.* 

Marshal the Duke of Belluno went on the 6th 
to Santa Olalla ; from which place he acquaint- 
ed your Majesty, that the Anglo-Spanish army 
had quitted Talavera on the 4th, proceeding to- 
wards Placentia : that the cavalry of the 1st 
* %i 

corps would that day (the 6th) reach Talavera, 
and_ that General Wellesley had recommended to 
him 4000 wounded, whom he had been obliged 
to leave behind him in that town. 

Marshal the Duke of Belluno advanced on 
the 7th to Talavera, with his whole corps of the 
army. The same day the cavalry of the 1st 
corps formed a junction at Oropesa, and at Pu- 
erte de l'Arzobispo, with the troops of the Duke 
of Dalmatia. 

* This was the first information that the enemy received of 
Soult's movements, so that the operations of the Legion pre- 
vented a junction between the French army and Soult's corps 
until the 7th ; and thus enabled the uninterrupted movements 
and subsequent retreat of the combined Angio-Spanish army 
over the Tagus. 



t APPENDIX, 



( 274 ) 



APPENDIX, M. 

BATTLE OF BA1NOS. 

Bulletin from the London Gazette of Sep- 
tember 9, 1809- 

Downing Street, Sept. 7, 1S09. 

Dispatches, of which the following are 
copies and extracts, were this day received at 
the office of Viscount Castlereagh, one of his 
Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, from 
Lieutenant-General Viscount Wellington, K. B. 

Truxillo, Jug. 21, 1S09. 

My Lord, 

When I marched from Talavera on the 3d 
instant, with a view to oppose the French corps 
which we had heard had passed through the 
Puerte de Bainos, and had arrived at Placentia, 
Sir Robert Wilson was detached upon the left of 
the Army, towards Escalona ; and before I 
marched on that morning, I pat him in com- 
munication with the Spanish General Cuesta, 
who it had been settled was to remain at Tala- 
vera. I understood that General Cuesta put 

Sir 



appendix:, m. 



5 275 



Sir Robert in communication with his advanced 
guard, which retired from Talavera on the night 
of the 4th. 

Sir Robert Wilson, however, did not arrive at 
Valada till the night of the 4th, having made a 
long march through the mountains : and as he 
was then six leagues from the bridge of Arzo- 
bispo, and had to cross the high road from 
Oropesa to Talavera, of which the enemy was in 
possession, he conceived that he was too late 
to retire to Arzobispo, and he determined to 
move to Venta St. Julien and Catinello towards 
the Tietar, and across that river towards the 
mountains which separate Castille from Estre* 
madura. 

Some of Sir Robert Wilson's dispatches hav- 
ing missed me, 1 am not aware by which of the 
passes he went through the mountains, but I 
believe by Tornavacas.* 

* Sir Robert Wilson was obliged to re-cross the Tietar, to 
drive from Aldea Nueva a detachment of the enemy occupy- 
ing that town, and to carry by storm, at night, the village of 
Viranda, strongly occupied by the enemy, and then to pass 
over the Sierra Liana, a ridge of mountains eternally covered 
with snow : from thence he proceeded to Bohoyo, Barco 
d'Avila, Bejar, and Bainos. 

t2 He 



APPENfclX, M, 



He arrived, however, at Bain6s on the 11th, 
and on the 12th was attacked and defeated by 
the French corps of Marshal Ney, which, with 
that of Soult, returned to Placentia on the 9th, 
10th, and 11th, that of Ney having since gone 
on towards Salamanca. 

I inclose Sir Robert Wilson's account of the 
action. He as well as the other British officers 
of his corps, have been very active, intelligent, 
and useful in the command of the Portuguese 
and Spanish corps with which they were de- 
tached from this army. 

Before the battle of the 28th of July, he had 
pushed his parties almost to the gates of Madrid, 
with which city he was in communication; and 
he would have been in Madrid, if I had not 
thought it proper to call him in, in expectation 
of that general action which took place on the 
28th of July. He afterwards alarmed the 
enemy on the right of his army ; and through- 
out the service, shewed himself an active and 
intelligent partizan, well acquainted with the 
country in which he was acting, and possessing 
the confidence of the troops which he com- 
manded. 



Being 



APPENDIX, M, 



£77 



Being persuaded that his retreat was not open 
by Arzobispo, he acted right in taking the road 
he did, with which he was well acquainted ; and 
although unsuccessful in the action which he 
fought, (which may well be accounted for, by the 
superior numbers and description of the enemy's 
troops,) the action, in my opinion, does him great 
credit. 

I have the honour to be, 
&c. &c. &c. 
(Signed) ARTHUR WELLESLEY. 

Miranda de Castenar, Aug. 13, 180p. 

Sir, 

I have the honour to acquaint you, that I 
was on march yesterday morning on the road of 
Grenadelia from Aldea Nueva, to restore my 
communication with the allied army, when a 
peasant assured us, that a considerable quantity 
of dust, which we perceived in the road of Pla- 
centia, proceeded from the march of a body of 
the enemy. 

I immediately returned and took post in front 
of Bain6s, with my piquets in advance of Al- 
dea Nueva, selecting such points for defence as 
the exigency of the time permitted. 

t 3 The 



278 



APPENDIX, M. 



The enemy's cavalry advanced on the high 
road, and drove back my small cavalry posts ; 
but a piquet of Spanish infantry, which I had 
concealed, poured in on the cavalry a steady and 
well-directed fire, that killed and wounded many 
of them. 

The two hundred Spanish infantry in advance 
of Aldea Nueva, continued, under the direction 
of Colonel Grant and their officers, to maintain 
their ground most gallantly, until the enemy's 
cavalry and chasseurs a cheval, in considerable 
bodies, appeared on both flanks, when they were 
obliged to retreat. 

The enemy's chasseurs k cheval and cavalry 
advanced in great numbers in every direction, 
and pushed to cut off the Legion posted between 
Aldea Nueva and Bainos; but, by the steady 
conduct of officers and men, the enemy could 
pnjy advance gradually, and with a very severe 
loss from the commanding fire thrqwn on them. 

The Merida battalion, however, having given 
way on the right, a rqad was laid open, which 
cut behind our position, and I was obliged to 
order a retreat on the heights above Bainos 3 
when I was again necessitated tq detach a corps, 



APPENDIX, M. 



279 



in order to scour the road of Monte Major, by 
which I saw the enemy directing a column, and 
which road turned altogether the Puerte de 
Bain6s, a league in our rear. 

At this time Don Carlos Marquis de Es- 
paine came up with his battalion of light in- 
fantry, and in a most gallant manner took post 
along the heights commanding the road of Ba~ 
nos, which enabled me to send some of the Me- 
rida battalion on the mountain on our left, com- 
manding the main road, and which the enemy 
had tried to ascend. 

This battalion of light infantry, and the detach- 
ment of the Legion on its right, continued, not- 
withstanding the enemy's fire of artillery and 
musketry, to maintain their ground ; but, at six 
o'clock in the evening, three columns of the 
enemy mounted the height on our left, gained 
it, and poured such a fire on the troops below, 
that longer defence was impracticable, and the 
whole was obliged to retire on the mountains on 
our left, leaving open the main road, along which 
a considerable column of cavalry immediately 
poured. 



The battalion of Seville had been left at Bejar 
t 4 with 



280 



APPENDIX, M. 



with orders to follow me next clay ; but when I 
was obliged to return, and the action com- 
menced, I ordered it to Puerte de Bain6s, to 
watch the Monte Major road and the heights 
in the rear of our left. 

When the enemy's cavalry came near, an 
officer and some dragoons called out to the com- 
manding officer to surrender, but a volley killed 
him and his party, and then the battalion pro- 
ceeded to mount the heights, in which move- 
ment it was attacked and surrounded by a co- 
lumn of cavalry and a column of infantry, but 
cut its way and cleared itself, killing a great 
many of the enemy, especially of his cavalry. 

The enemy is now passing to Salamanca with 
great expedition. I lament that I could no 
longer arrest his progress ; but, when the enor- 
mous superiority of the enemy's force is con- 
sidered, and that we had no artillery, and that 
the Puerto de Bainos, on the Estremaduran side, 
is not a pass of such strength as on the side of 
Castille, especially without guns, I hope that a 
resistance for nine hours, which must have cost 
the enemy a great many men, will not be deemed 
inadequate to our means. 



I have 



appexdix, 31. 



281 



I have to acknowledge the services rendered 
me on this occasion by Colonel Grant, Major 
Human, Don Ferman Marquis. Adjutant-Major 
of the Dragoons of Pavia, Captain Charles and 
Mr. Bolman ; and to express the greatest ap- 
probation of two companies of the Merida bat- 
talions advanced in front, and of the command- 
ing officer and soldiery of the battalions of Se- 
ville, and the Portuguese brigades. I have al- 
ready noticed the distinguished conduct of Don 
Carlos, and his battalion merits the highest en* 
comiums. 

I have not yet been able to collect the returns 
of our loss. From the nature of mountain war- 
fare, many men are missing who cannot join for 
a day or two ; but I believe the enemy will only 
have to boast that he has achieved his passage, 
and his killed and wounded will be a great dimi- 
nution of his victory. 

I have the honour to be, &c. 

ROBERT WILSON. 

Sir A. Welksky, & c. $c. Src. 



EXTRACTS 



282 



APPENDIX, U. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE MON1TEUR. 

Marshal Soult to the Governor of Avila. 

Wilson's corps is cut off, and cannot es- 
cape; if you send 1500 men to Candelabria, it 
must surrender.* 

Report of the Duke of Elchingen to Marshal 
Soult. 

On the 8th, while the army was taking the 
bridge of Arzobispo, I had detachments on 
the right bank of the Tietar, near Villa Nueva, 
to watch the corps of the English General 
Wilson. 

On the 12th, the corps of the army set out 
en masse, from Placentia. On reaching Oliva, 
I learnt the enemy occupied in force Aldea 
Nueva, and principally the heights and defiles 
of Bain6s. My advanced guard, under General 
Lorcet, composed of voltigeurs of the 25th 
light infantry, 2750 ; 59th regiment of the line, 
23d dragoons, and 15th of hussars, a battalion 

* The same notice was sent to Marshal Jourdan, Joseph 
Buonaparte, and other Generals. 

of 



APPENDIX, M. 



283 



of light artillery, Colonel Armano's brigade 
of dragoons, &c. actually fell in With the enemy 
at Aldea Nueva. The attack and success were 
equally rapid. The position was taken, and the 
3d hussars made an admirable charge. The 
routed enemy rejoined, in small companies, his 
principal corps on the heights of Banos. These 
were occupied by General Wilson with 4 or 
5000 men. That General, who considered his 
position impregnable, had added to the difficul- 
ties of ground, by obstructing the accessible 
paths with abattis, ditches, and masses of rock. 
As soon as the artillery of the army had closed 
at Banos, they marched against the enemy, and 
forgot their fatigues. The o9th and 60th regi- 
ments advanced against the heights with great 
boldness, and made themselves masters of the 
heights, which were obstinately defended. 

General Wilson, however, rallied his troops 
for the third time, and even endeavoured again 
to act on the offensive, hoping to overthrow us 
in his turn ; but this attempt was extremely 
disastrous to himself. The advanced guard had 
united, and an engagement with the bayonet 
commenced, in which the enemy was over- 
whelmed. 



The 



<284 



APPENDIX, M. 



The hussars and chasseurs assisted in putting 
him completely to the rout : in short, this little 
corps, which left 1200 in the field, is entirely 
destroyed. Our dragoons fought on foot on 
several occasions, and distinguished themselves. 
The artillery also behaved well. The loss that 
we have sustained in the late battles amounts to 
5 officers and 30 subalterns and privates killed ; 
10 officers and 140 subalterns and privates 
wounded ; several dropped dead in the ranks 
from heat and fatigue. 

Monsieur Terrier L'Enque, Colonel of the 
3d hussars, distinguished himself in several 
charges, and that regiment lost 40 horses* 
Colonel Cosel, of the 59th infantry, killed an 
officer, who, while charging, attempted to take 
his horse. 



APPENDIX, 



( 285 ) 



APPENDIX, N. 

BATTLE OF BUSACO. 

The Combined Army takes up a Position on the 
right Bank of the Mondego. 

St. Martinho do Bispo, Sept. 30, 1810. 

On the morning of the 3d instant, the first 
division marched upon the road to Coimbra, five 
leagues. General Cameron's brigade and the 
3d Guards hutted ; the Coldstream was quar- 
tered in Moita, and the King's German Legion 
in an adjoining village. Next day, the 3d 
Guards marched to the village of Sanguinhada, 
and General Cameron's brigade, on the 5th, was 
cantoned in Cortica. 

Head-quarters were at Gouvea,and every thing 
remained quiet in front. The 24th Portuguese 
regiment, taken in Almeida, and said to have 
volunteered into the French service, has every 
man escaped. 

At day-break on the 18th instant, the Guards 
marched from Moita and Sanguinhada; at the 

same 



286 



APPENDIX, N. 



same time, the rest of the division was in motion, 
and the whole crossed the Ponte de Marcella and 
bivouacked two leagues beyond, near the village 
of Foy d'Arouce, on the banks of the river 
Ceira. Thunder and lightning, with heavy rains, 
continued without intermission the whole of the 
night and following morning. 

Before day-break on the 19th, the division 
w r as again on march, and entered Coimbra soon 
after mid-day. 

Head-quarters were yesterday at Castica, and 
this morning Lord Wellington with his Staff, 
accompanied by Marshal Beresford, crossed the 
Mondego. 

During the night, several Portugueze regi- 
ments came into Coimbra. 

At half-past 9 A.M. on the 20th, the division 
advanced on the Oporto road, and halted at 
Malheada, in which town the 3d Guards were 
quartered. , 

The Coldstream halted in a wood on the right. 
Colonel Packenham's brigade, the 7th and 79th, 
were in advance, Lord Blantyre (Cameron's) on 

the 



APPENDIX, N. 



287 



the left, and the King's German Legion half a 
mile in the rear. 

Sept. 21st, before dawn, the division was under 
arms. The 3d Guards moved out of Malheada 
to join the Coldstream, when Colonel Packen- 
ham's brigade went into cantonments. Several 
brigades of Portugueze infantry formed in the 
rear of the division, on the Coimbra road. 

Sept. 22d, the Coldstream went into quarters 
at Valcaliza, and the 3d regiment in the vil- 
lages of Travassa and Canedo. 

The fall of Almeida, after a bombardment of 
only one day, but in reality occasioned by 
the explosion of the grand magazine, by which 
unfortunate event one half of the town was de- 
stroyed, 500 of the garrison, and a great number 
of the inhabitants killed, removed the principal 
remaining obstacle to the entrance of Massena's 
army into this kingdom ; but they proceeded 
with great caution in their movements, owing to 
the difficulty of bringing forward their supplies, 
which was absolutely necessary, as the enemy 
would not place any dependence on the resources 
of a country so long occupied by the British. 
The French appear to have been completely 

foiled 



APPENDIX, N. 



foiled in their plans by the prudent defensive 
system adopted by Lord Wellington ; as there 
can be no doubt that it was a principal object 
with Massena, in undertaking the sieges of 
Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida, to draw the 
British from their strong hilly positions to the 
plains on which these towns are situated, where, 
if at all, the superior number of his cavaly might 
be expected to give him the advantage. On a 
further advance from the frontier, that species 
of force could no longer be rendered useful in 
the same degree, but must prove extremely bur- 
thensome and embarrassing to his operations, 
from the very great scarcity of forage, which 
even the British experienced at times, although 
the harvest had been got in, and the whole 
grain in the country was in requisition for their 
supply. 

About a fortnight ago, Marshal Massena made 
a feint of coming clown upon the left bank of the 
Mondego, and actually pushed his reconnoitring 
parties to Cortico and Linhares in that di- 
rection ; but, apprehensive of meeting a check 
at the strong pass of the Ponte de Marcella, he, 
on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of September, 
crossed the river, with his whole army, at the 
bridge of Fornas, below Celerico, advancing 

upon 



APPENDIX, N. 



289 



upon Coimbra by the way of Vizeu. This move- 
ment of the enemy was met by the commander 
of the forces with his usual foresight ; and the 
intentions of the French leader being now clearly 
developed, the 2d division, under General Hill, 
was directed to join the main body by the route 
of Sobriera Formosa, and Perdegao, when the 
whole of the combined army, with the excep- 
tion of General Fane's division of cavalry and 
some Portugueze infanty, was placed upon the 
right bank of the Mondego, with a celerity 
which set all ordinary calculation at defiance. 

Sept. 22d, skirmishing at the out-posts. 

On the 23d, the bridge over the Criz, beyond 
Mortigao, having been blown up by Brigadier- 
General Pack, the French occupied themselves 
in repairing it, and then passed over a column of 
infantry and cavalry, who were opposed by the 
light division and General Pack's Portugueze 
brigade. 

On the 24th and 25th, the enemy continued to 
advance, and it was evident the whole of his 
force was concentrating. In a smart skirmish, 
Captain Hoey was severely, and Mellish slightly 
wounded. 

u Whilst 



APPENDIX, N. 



Whilst the French continued their approach 
upon Coimbra, by the road leading over the Si- 
erra of Busaco, the main body of the allied 
army remained in the adjoining villages, where 
the troops had been cantoned, that they might 
not suffer from the heavy dews at this season of 
the year. 

Before day-break on the 26th, the several di- 
visions of British and Portugueze were in motion. 
The brigade of Guards arrived in the village of 
Luz about 8 o'clock, and soon after began to as- 
cend the Sierra of Busaco, on whose summit is 
situated a convent of the austere order of La 
Trappe, which was Lord Wellington's head-quar- 
ters. The route lay for nearly two miles through 
the gardens; before leaving them a cannonade 
commenced, the brigade was ordered to load, and 
then formed behind the brow of the hill, from 
whence the whole of the enemy's force was dis- 
tinctly discerned. They appeared in consider- 
able numbers ; the infantry supposed to be not 
less than 1 0,0()0,,and a very large force in cavalry. 

About 5 P. M. the French piquets made an 
attack upon the Portugueze light troops (Caca- 
dores), who returned their fire with the utmost 
steadiness and resolution. 

The 



APPENDIX, X. 



The formation of the combined aemy 
as follows : 

Lieutenant-General Hill's division, which had 
crossed the Mondego this morning, was placed 
on the right of the whole line, having the divi- 
sions of Generals Leitb and Picton on his left. 
In the centre, was the 1st division, of which the 
Guards formed the right, under the command of 
Sir Brent Spencer: beyond was the light divi- 
sion, in the most advanced part of the position, 
opposite the gardens of the monastery. Major- 
General Cole's at the extremity on the left. 

General Fane's division of cavalry remained 
on the left bank of the Mondego, to observe the 
movements of the enemy in that direction ; a 
few squadrons only were on the heights, the 
ground being unfavourable for that description 
of force; and the main body, under Sir Staple- 
ton Cotton, was formed in the plains in the front 
of Malheada, and on the Oporto road. 

The brigades of Portugueze infantry and Ca- 
cadores were united with the British, and the re- 
sult proved this to have been the best possible 
distribution, of the troops of our ally. 



The line of the combined army thus posted, 
u S extended 



APPENDIX, N. 



extended along the ridge of Busaco for nearly 
two leagues ; but the whole of the intermediate 
space was not occupied, except by a chain of 
light troops, and formed the segment of a circle, 
whose extreme points embraced every part of the 
enemy's position. Not a movement could be 
made in the French lines without its being im- 
mediately observed from the Sierra, and this cir- 
cumstance contributed most materially to the 
success of the British. 

At dusk, the 1st division moved to the right, 
and bivouacked close to the brow of the hill, co- 
vered by the light infantry. The weather thick 
and foggy. 

Sept. 2?th, at dawn of day, the enemy ad- 
vanced in two columns, and at the same moment 
threatened the right and centre of the allied 
army. The column on the right moved up the 
hill, under the fire of the light troops, with great 
intrepidity, and had gained the summit when it 
was charged, whilst deploying into line, in the 
most gallant manner, by Colonel Mackinnon's* 

* Colonel Mackinnon was killed at the head of his brigade 
(then a Major-General) by the blowing up of a mine at the 
capture of Chi dad Roderigo. 

brigade, 



APPENDIX, N. 



293. 



brigade, the 45th and 88th regiments, and the 9th 
Portugueze under Lieut. Col. Sutton, supported 
on the right by part of General Leith's corps, 
and on the left by Major- General Lightburne's 
brigade and the'Guards, which had moved to the 
right for that purpose, on the first indication of 
the enemy's intention. The French could not 
withstand the shock, but retreated down the 
hill with immense loss. One regiment, the 1st 
Lege re of Regnier's Corps d'Armee, was entirely 
cut to pieces. The enemy, foiled in this attack, 
made another more to the right, where he was 
again repulsed at the point of the bayonet. 
This second attack was supported by some heavy 
artillery, and dismounted two guns; but a shell 
having set fire to the ammunition-tumbril, which 
blew up, the French abandoned their battery. 

The commander of the forces was every where 
in person, giving directions and superintending 
the different points of attack. Lieutenant-Co- 
lonel Campbell and Lord Fitzroy Somerset were 
wounded. 

Finding these attacks on the right unsuc- 
cessful, the enemy directed his principal efforts 
against the left centre ; and, in a charge made 
u 3 by 



< 

294 



APPENDIX, N. 



by the 43d and 52d regiments, General Simon 
was wounded and taken with his aide-de-camp. 
A short time afterwards, a young Spanish lady 
in male attire, whom the General had carried off 
from Madrid, withJiis baggage, was sent to the 
British head- quarters with a flag of truce. 

About 8 o'clock a fog came on, which, for a 
time, partially obscured the positions of the re- 
spective armies. When the clay cleared up, it 
was discovered that the enemy had placed large 
bodies of light troops in the woods and valley 
which skirted the bottom of the Sierra, They 
were successfully opposed by the light division, 
the Cacadores, the light infantry of the 1st di- 
vision, and Colonel Pakenham's brigade, the 7th 
and 79th regiments. The enemy's fire slackened 
about noon, but the light troops continued en- 
gaged until the evening. During the action, a 
number of deserters came over. 

On the following morning, the light infantry 
were again partially engaged on the left of the 
line. At mid-day the enemy's cavalry, and se- 
veral columns of infantry, were observed in mo- 
tion to the rear. All quiet in camp. The French 
set fire to a small village on leaving it. 

At 



APPENDIX, N. 



295 



At 10 P.M. the army quitted the position of 
Busaco. After haltino- for two hours near the 
Monastery, the 1st division proceeded on the 
road to Coimbra. At day-light on the 29th, it 
was perceived that the enemy had withdrawn the 
whole of his troops from the ground he occupied 
during the engagement. 

An hour before sunset the division halted 
within a league of Coimbra, and this morning 
the troops were again under arms before day- 
break. About 8 o'clock the Guards, in the rear 
of the column, forded the Mondego, and went 
into quarters in the village of St. Marti nho do 
Bispo. Strong piquets were formed to protect 
the fords during the night. 



APPENDIX, 



( 296 ) 



APPENDIX, O. 



The Combined Army retires to the entrenched 
Position in the vicinity of Lisbon, 8$c. 

Portella de Casaes, 10th Nov. 1810. 

The manoeuvres of Marshal Massena after the 
battle of Busaco, left the commander of the 
forces in no doubt of his intention to throw his 
whole army on the high road from Oporto, and 
the position being turned on the 29th of Septenw 
ber, by the enemy's movement to the right, 
Lord Wellington, in pursuance of the defensive 
system, on which he had hitherto acted, com- 
menced his retreat to the fortified lines in the 
neighbourhood of the capital. 

On the 1st of October, Sir Brent Spencer's di- 
vision moved out of their cantonments before 
day break, and passing through the town of Pe- 
reira and Soure, bivouacked at dusk in a vine- 
yard close to the latter, 

The roads were crouded with people flying 

from 



APPENDIX, O. 



297 



from their houses to the mountains and sea 
coast ; the monasteries and nunneries were de- 
serted ; numbers accompanied the march of the 
British troops, and the banks of the Mondego 
were lined with distressed groups, impatiently 
waiting to embark. 

The advance of the enemy on this morning 
entered Coimbra, their cavalry having previ- 
ously charged a troop of horse artillery, which 
retired without loss over the Mondego. 

October the 2d, after a fatiguing march of 
five leagues, on a road parallel with the one 
through Pombal, by which the main body of the 
army was retiring, the 1st division halted on 
the banks of the Rio Maganche, within a league 
of Leyria, through which the troops marched 
next morning, and bivouacked in a wood, a league 
and a half beyond, near Canveiza, until the 5th, 
when the columns were again in motion, and 
halted at the close of day, near the village" of 
Condexas. 

On the 6th, the army marched through Rio- 
mayor to Alcoentre, four leagues, and on the 
7th, to Aldea Gallega, the same distance, and 
bivouacked each day. 

Heavy 



298 



APPENDIX, O. 



Heavy rains set in on the following morning, 
and the roads were in a dreadful state. 

The 1st division passed through Sobral about 
noon, and the battalions were cantoned in the 
adjoining villages. 

The Guards were at San Quintino, within a 
short distance of the works. 

The cavalry under Sir Stapleton Cotton co- 
vered the retreat of the army, during the whole 
of the march from Busaco, and on several occa- 
sions, particularly at Leyria, on the 5th instant, 
proved its decided superiority over that of the 
enemy. 

October the 9th, heavy rains. The troops 
remained in their quarters. The state of the 
roads necessarily retarded the enemy's advance 
to the position. 

October the 10th, the whole division were in 
Sobral. The commander of the forces, and 
Marshal Beresford, arrived at San Quintino. 

Next day the troops marched from Sobral, at 
two in the afternoon, and remained until dusk 

on 



APPENDIX, 0. 2$$ 

on the brow of a hill, in front of the grand bat- 
teries. Afterwards the Guards moved into the 
village of Sobriera. Heavy rains, with thunder 
and lightning ; but the enemy continued to ad- 
vance, notwithstanding the severity of the 
weather. 

October the 12th, all quiet. The troops were 
kept in readiness to turn out at amoment's notice. 

On the J 3th. a strong column of the enemy 
was observed on the height, beyond Sobral, ap- 
parently moving towards the left. The gun- 
boats, under the command of Lieutenant Ber- 
keley, stationed in the Tagus, abreast of Villa 
Franca, opened a heavy hre this morning upon 
the town, in which there was a French force of 
1200 men. who were driven out with consider- 
able loss. General Lacroix was cut in two by a 
cannon shot. 

Working parties were employed in completing 
the works on Sobriera Hill, and in mending the 
road to *Bucellas. The high road to Mafia runs 
through this village. All quiet during the 
night. 

* The wine of that name is produced here. 



about 



300 APPENDIX, 0. 

About noon on the 14th, the enemy opened a 
battery of four pounders, from behind some 
casks, at the entrance of Sobral, upon the ad- 
vance of the 1st division, consisting of the 71st 
regiment, under Colonel Cadogan, and part of 
Major-General Cameron's brigade. After a se- 
vere conflict of an hour, the enemy's fire was dis- 
continued, and each party carried off their 
wounded. In this affair the French lost 100 
men, British 40, in killed and wounded. A few 
prisoners were taken, but no advantage gained 
on either side. The piquets remained at dusk 
within a short distance of Sobral, which was oc- 
cupied by the enemy, whose force being increa- 
sed towards the evening, by the arrival of the 
8th corps, and part of the 6th, Sir Brent Spen- 
cer, in the course of the night, withdrew his ad- 
vanced posts. 

At day-break the next morning, a reconnoi- 
tring party of the enemy was observed on the 
heights where Major-General Cameron's bri- 
gade was posted the day before. About 7 A. M. 
the light infantry of the Guards moved out of 
Cabedos, in which a company of the 60th was 
left. Several working parties employed in mi- 
ning the roads for explosion. The report of Co- 
lonel Trant having taken 5000 of the enemy's 

sick 



APPENDIX, O, 



SOI 



sick and wounded in Coimbra, now reached the 
French army, and created a considerable sensa- 
tion among the troops, whom the officers en- 
deavoured to persuade that the news was un- 
founded. 

Massena, attended by a large staff, was dis- 
tinctly seen reconnoitring for a considerable, 
time. His army was in three divisions, and the 
right did not appear to be advanced beyond So- 
bral, his left extended to the Tagus. The road 
to Torres Vedras was rendered nearly impassable 
by the rains, which continued almost as violent 
as during the last week. It was now discovered 
bv the French that thev were in a very awkward 
predicament, in consequence of their rapid ad- 
vance. Massena met with an opposition he cer- 
tainly did not expect, and his difficulties hourly 
increased, from the want of provisions. 

At 5 P. M. the Guards moved out of Sobriera 
to Portella de Casaes, to make room for Major- 
General Sir W. Erskine's brigade. 

The following was the disposition of the Combined 
Army. 

2d Division — Gen. Hill's — the right resting at 

Alhandra. 



302 



APPENDIX, O. 



Alhandra, on the Tagus, and flanked by gun- 
boats. The brigades of Generals Lumley and 
Hoghton, at Bucellas. 

Light div. — Gen. Crawford's, 7 



1st Division — Sir B. Spencer, centre and lefu 
The General's Head-quarters in Sobriera. 

3d Division — Gen. Picton's, Torres Vedras. 

4th Division — Gen. Cole's, Dias Portas. 

6th Division — Gen. A. Campbell's, Ribaldiera. 

Cavalry — Head-quarters of Sir S. Cotton, at 
Mafia. 

The Portugueze brigades in the batteries, and 
intermixed with the British. Brigadier-General 
Pack commanded in the fort, on the most ele- 
vated point, and in the centre of the intrenched 
line. From this spot, which is immediately 
above the village of Portella de Casaes, there is 
a most beautiful and extensive view ; compre- 
hending on the right, the rich valley of the Ta- 
gus, and across that river into the province of 
Alentejo, and on the left,- to the Atlantic, inclu- 
ding the whole of the positions, the hill of Cin- 
tra, and the Burlings, with the fortress of 
Peniche\ 



5th ditto, — Gen. Leith's 




October 



APPENDIX, O. 



303 



October 16th, all quiet. The sick sent daily 
to Lisbon. Working parties employed on the 
works, and in repairing some roads, and block- 
ing up others. All communications to the com- 
mander of the forces were sent by the telegraphs 
on the hills, under the command of naval officers, 
and signals for the several brigades to march to 
their respective alarm posts, directed to be made 
on the first appearance of a forward movement 
by the enemy. 

On the 19th, the Marquis of Romana crossed 
the Tagus below Villa Franca, with the 1st di- 
vision of the Spanish army, under General 
O'Donnell. 

The principal part of the French infantry were 
halted in a pine wood, about a league in rear of 
Sobral, which they continued to occupy. The 
enemy had no troops to the right of that town, 
therefore it was supposed that the attack, when 
made with a view of penetrating to Lisbon, would 
be either by the high road, leading from Sobral to 
that city, or by the road on the bank of the Ta- 
gus, which, in addition to the troops and batteries 
in that part of the line, was flanked by the gun- 
boats, and Lieutenant Berkeley, who had already 
driven him out of Villa Franca. Massena at no 

time 



304 



APPENDIX, 0. 



time seemed to have entertained the idea of 
forcing his way to the capital, by the road on 
the sea side, from Torres Vedras through Mafra 
and Cintra. 

October 28, the heavy rains were suc- 
ceeded for the last week by fine dry healthy 
weather ; the mornings cold. Deserters conti- 
nued to arrive, who affirmed that the enemy's bag- 
gage was sent to the rear, and that a considerable 
force under Loison, had already fallen back upon 
Thomar, doubtless with a view of collecting pro- 
visions, of which (particularly bread) the troops 
were in great want. 

Brigadier-General Blunt sent out parties from 
Peniche, who were constantly harassing the 
enemy's right : several skirmishes took place 
near Obidos, where there was a small Portugueze 
garrison, commanded by Captain Fenwick. 

Major-General Fane now crossed the Tagus 
with a division of cavalry and infantry, to pre- 
vent the enemy foraging in the Alentejo. 



APPENDIX, 



( 305 ) 



APPENDIX, P. 

MASSENA'S RETREAT FROM PORTUGAL, 



Retreat of Massena from Santarem, and advance 
of the British Operations during the Pur- 
suit , which are continued until the whole of the 
Army of Portugal cross the Agueda, leaving 
Almeida to its Fate — French Barbarity. 

Almadilla, Spain, \ 5th April, 1811. 

Intelligence having reached the British 
head-quarters in the beginning of March, that 
the enemy had been for some days employed in 
sending his heavy artillery and baggage, with 
the sick, to the rear, it became evident that the 
French Commander-in-Chief had some import- 
ant movement in contemplation, On the 4th a 
large convent in Santarem was perceived on fire; 
at dusk on the following day the enemy with- 
drew his piquets, and the whole of the remain- 
ing force evacuated the town about midnight. 

On the morning of the 5th of March General 
Picton's division moved forward, the enemy hav- 
ing withdrawn his troops from the vicinity of ' 
Rio Mayor. 

* x Soon 



306 



APPENDIX, P. 



Soon after day-break on the 6th, the light di- 
vision entered Santarem, and, in the course of 
that day, the 1st, 4th, and 6th divisions of in- 
fantry arrived in the town. The enemy, during 
his stay, had omitted no means of improving his 
position, which, in consequence, was found re- 
markably strong. It appears that there were 
never more than five or six regiments in Santa- 
rem, and those very sickly, which agrees with 
the accounts uniformly received from prisoners 
and deserters. 

The light division arrived about noon at Per- 
nis, which the rear guard of the French quitted 
before day-light, having effectually destroyed 
the two arches of the bridge. These, however, 
were speedily repaired by the staff corps for the 
passage of infantry. 

• 

On the 7th the troops were under arms at an 
early hour, when the Guards and King's German 
Legion marched to Pernis, the 4th and 6th di- 
visions to Golegao. Head-quarters on this day 
at Torres Novas. 

Pernis, where Junot had been stationed for 
some weeks, is situated in a fertile valley, water- 
ed by the Aveila in its course to the Tagus. 

About 



APPEXDIX, P. 



307 



About 200 yards above the bridge the river, 
tumbling over broken rocks, forms a grand and 
romantic cascade ; the banks being extremely 
confined and fringed with wood, through which 
the stream is seen rushing, add to the beauty of 
the surrounding objects : a ruined mill, covered 
with ivy, and some old houses overhanging the 
river, contiguous to the fall, contribute further 
to enrich the scenery, which is in the highest de- 
gree picturesque. Under a projection of the cliff 
lay the mutilated remains of a Frenchman, who, 
having straggled from his party, had been put 
to death by the peasantry. 

There were few inhabitants in Pernis, and 
these in great distress for want of subsistence, 
the French having; on their arrival seized on every 
article of provision for their own use, regardless 
of the misery this occasioned to the w T retched 
Portugueze. 

On the 8th, the artillery of the 1st division 
crossed the river at the ford a little below the 
bridge, and were parked on the opposite heights; 
the troops remained in their quarters, ready to 
move at a moment's notice. 



On the 9th, the main body of the French 
x 2 under 



308 



APPENDIX, P. 



under Massena took the Coimbra road. Ge- 
neral Regnier, with the 2d corps, marched 
towards Espinhel, and Loison's division by 
Anciao. 

About ten o'clock the Guards and King's 
German Legion marched from Pernis, and at 3 
P. M. reached Torres Novas, for some time Mas- 
sen a's head- quarters. 

At five the brigade was again in motion, and 
in four hours the 3d regiment halted in the vil- 
lage of Slides, where there were few inhabitants. 
Roads very bad ; the guns in consequence took 
a circuitous route to the right through Atalaya. 

On the 10th, the brigade advanced to Pyalvo, 
where the Coldstream regiment had been canton- 
ed the preceding night. The brigade then pro- 
ceeded on march, and about noon came up with 
the rear of the 4th division, on the road from 
Thomar to Leyria. General Cole had been or- 
dered across the Tagus to reinforce Marshal Be- 
resford, but was recalled on Massena's move- 
ment being distinctly ascertained. In the after- 
noon heavy showers of rain. About 4 P. M. 
halted near the miserable village of Cacbairas. 
Colonel De Grey's brigade of cavalry, the King's 

German 



APPENDIX, P. 



309 



German Legion, and 4th division on the same 
ground. The whole of the troops in bivouac. 
Before dusk Major-General Hoghton's corps 
from the 2d division reached the camp. 

At day-break on the 1 1th of March, the troops 
were in motion, and proceeded left in front on 
the road to Pombal; the 6th division joined the 
column, the head of which, after a long and fa- 
tiguing march, arrived near the town at dusk. 
Pombal had been set on fire by the enemy, who 
failed in his attempt to hold the ancient castle, 
and was driven out by the light division. About 
9 P. M. the enemy's fires in front of the town 
were observed going out; but a considerable 
force remained in bivouac, at the distance of a 
league. 

The whole of the army was collected near 
Pombal in the course of this evening. 

Next morning (the 12th,) the British columns 
advanced along the road to Condeixa, part of 
the troops fording the river, while the rest moved 
over the bridge, and through the town, in pur- 
suit of the enemy, whose rear-guard, command- 
ed this day by Marshal Ney, was brought to ac- 
tion in front of the village of Redinha, their 
x 3 right 



310 



APPENDIX, P. 



right on the Soure river screened by a wood ; 
from whence, after a gallant stand, they were 
dislodged by Sir Brent Spencer, with the 3d, 
4th, and light divisions, and the troops follow- 
ing the enemy briskly across the narrow bridge 
over the Redinha river drove him upon the main 
body at Condeixa. During this operation the 
remaining divisions were in reserve. The army 
bivouacked for the night close to Redinha. The 
6th division under General A. Campbell made a 
lateral movement this morning upon the enemy s 
right by way of Soure. 

On the 13th, the allied army was again in mo- 
tion at day-break. The main body, with the 
artillery, marched upon the high road, while Ge- 
neral Picton advanced along the heights on the 
right, with some mountain guns. Soon after 
mid-day the columns closed up and bivouacked 
within a league of Condeixa, which was observed 
on lire. The light division was, for a short time, 
partially engaged with the enemy's rear. 

March the 14th, the troops moved off their 
ground about 7 o'clock, and advanced towards 
Condeixa. In several places the enemy had 
constructed abattis to retard the pursuit : these 
obstacles, however, were soon overcome, and the 

columns, 



APPENDIX, P. 



311 



columns, with the exception of Major-General 
Picton's division, which moved along the heights 
and manoeuvred upon the enemy's left, passed 
through the once beautiful, but now ruined town 
of Condeixa. Meanwhile, the light division, 
supported by the 6th, was warmly engaged with 
the enemy, whose sharp-shooters, advantage- 
ously posted behind stone walls, took a delibe- 
rate aim upon the advance of the British. 

This irregular warfare continued for some 
hours, after which the enemy retired to a hill, 
one league in front of Miranda de Corvo, in 
consequence of the movements made on his 
flanks by General Picton, and the light division 
under Sir William Erskine. From a height on 
which the light division bivouacked, the French 
were observed in considerable force. Regnier, 
who had taken the Espinhel road, followed by 
Major-General Nightingale, effected a junction 
this day with the main body under the Prince of 
Esling, whose whole army was now assembled in 
one solid mass. 

In the course of the morning several officers 
were wounded : Major Stewart of the 95th, Cap- 
tain Napier of the 43d, and Captain George T. 
Napier of the 52d. Major Napier of the 50th, 

x 4 who 



\ 

312 APPENDIX, P, 

who had been severely wounded in the battle of 
Corunna, was sent for to his brother's, when a 
most affecting scene took place. 

March the 15th. The morning was extremely 
foggy, which proved favourable to the enemy, 
whose movements were thereby concealed. About 
9 the day cleared up, previous to which, the 
light division under Sir William Erskine, the 3d 
(Picton's,) and 6th (A. Campbell's,) advanced in 
pursuit. Some deserters came in, who said that 
the French were destroying their artillery and 
burning a quantity of ammunition. At 11, the 
1st division marched, and about 3 P. M. passed 
through the smoaking ruins of Miranda de Cor- 
vo. The roads throughout were strewed with 
animals, destroyed carriages and baggage, and 
numbers of dead and wounded Frenchmen. At 
5, the light division and Major-General Picton's, 
supported by the 1st and 6th divisions, and two 
brigades of cavalry, brought the enemy's rear to 
action near the village of Foy d'Arouce. The 
firing continued until dusk, when the French re- 
treated in confusion, and with considerable loss 
across the Ceira river, in which many were 
drowned. 

On the 16th of March, at 4 A. M. the enemy 

blew 



APPENDIX, P. 



313 



blew up the bridge over the Ceira, keeping a force 
on the opposite bank to watch the fords. This 
day the army halted for supplies, which there 
was found some difficulty in bringing forward; 
the roads at all times bad, having been much cut 
up by the late heavy rains. General Cole and 
Colonel de Grey proceeded to join Marshal Be- 
resford in the Alentejo. 

On the 17th March, the enemy's rear-guard 
moved off during the night, and at day-break 
the advance of the British forded the river near 
the bridge. Soon after the 1st division crossed 
at a ford, about a mile above, upon which the 
enemy had brought two guns to bear on the 
preceding day. 

On the 18th March the army advanced to- 
wards the Ponte de Marcella, over which the 
whole of the enemy had now retired and de- 
stroyed the bridge, leaving a strong corps to ob- 
serve the ford. About 2 P. M. the 1st division 
halted near the village of Pombeiro, where Lord 
Wellington fixed his head-quarters. The enemy 
was posted in force on the right bank of the 
Alva. During the whole of this retreat, the 
French made their marches by night, putting 
their troops in motion a few hours after dusk. 

The 



314 APPENDIX, P. 

The 19th March. This morning thick and 
foggy, in consequence the troops remained in 
their huts until noon, when the fog dispersed. 
The 3d division marched to Arganil ; about 5, 
the Guards at the head of the 1st division ar- 
rived on the bank of the Alva, which they ford- 
ed mid-deep : night coming on, the 5th division 
halted on the left bank. There was some diffi- 
culty in getting the artillery across. 

A number of prisoners were made on this day, 
having been sent out for the purpose of collect- 
ing provisions in the neighbouring villages ; and 
from this circumstance, it is believed to have 
been Massena's intention to have halted on the 
right bank of the Alva to refresh his army, had 
he not found himself so closely pursued. The 
troops bivouacked in the position of Moita, where 
they remained waiting for their supplies until 
noon on the 25th, when the column proceeded 
on the road to Celerico. At dusk the 1st divi- 
sion halted near the village of Galizes. The 5th 
division, Major-General Dunlop's, in the rear, 
within a short distance. 

At day-break on the 26th, the British advan- 
ced four leagues, and about dusk our brigade 
went into quarters at St. Martinho and St. Ma- 

rinha ; 



APPENDIX, P. 



315 



rinha; Major- General Howard's at St. Romao: 
General Nightingall's at Cea, and the King's 
German Legion at Penhancos. The artillery at 
the Quinta de Beca. which, with the palace at 
Cea, had been burnt to the ground. Head- 
quarters in Gouvea: 3d division. General Pic- 
ton's, at Unbares. 

The advance at Celerico, in which the enemy 
had destroyed a few houses. 

On the 27th, the army halted. 

On the CSth, the 1st division advanced to- 
wards Celerico. and was cantoned this day in 
Mello; General Howard's in Sampayo, the 
King's German Legion in Gouvea, General 
Nishtin^aH's in Villa Cortex and Cortico. 
Head-quarters in Celerico. Massena occupied 
Guarda with a considerable force ; indeed the 
numbers of the retreating army are computed at 
nearly 50,000. 

On the 29th, the 1st division marched to Cele- 
rico, and about sun-set the troops were quartered 
in the town and the neighbouring villages of 
Chesu, Lagiosa, Val de Sierras, Frontiihera, Sec. 
The artillery at Baracal. The principal arch of 

the 



316 



APPENDIX, P. 



the bridge over the Mondego had been destroy- 
ed, but was now repaired for the passage of the 
allied army. 

Massena left Guarda this morning with one 
corps of his army and part of another, on the 
appearance of the British columns. General 
Picton, with the 3d division, moved across the 
Sierra d'Estrella, upon the enemy's left, by the 
mountain track from Monteigas ; the light di- 
vision advanced upon the right from Fraxedas, 
while General Alexander Campbell marched 
upon the high road through the valley of Mon- 
dego, and ascended the hill of Guarda in front of 
the city. This movement was so skilfully com- 
bined, that the heads of the several columns 
made their appearance on the heights of Guarda 
nearly at the same moment, and the celerity and 
precision of their manoeuvres so intimidated the 
enemy, that without firing a gun he immediately 
commenced his retreat towards the Coa, in the 
direction of Sabugal, pursued by the cavalry and 
light troops, who skirmished with the rear-guard 
and made about 300 prisoners. 

As the French retired, the peasantry came 
with their implements of husbandry from their 
hiding places, and commenced their labours ; 

in 



APPENDIX, P. 



317 



in many places the vines were already trimmed, 
and the industrious farmer, busied in his fields, 
seemed anxious to repair the loss of time, and 
the devastation committed by the enemy. 

March 30th, the d ivision halted. On the fol- 
lowing morning, the Guards marched five leagues 
to Fraxedas ; the artillery and the King's Ger- 
man Legion halted in Alverca, which, during , 
the sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida, 
had been Lord Wellington's head-quarters ; the 
route was through Celerico and Baracal. 

April the 1st, the troops remained in their 
cantonments. At Fraxedas the enemy, in addi- 
tion to their usual atrocities, violated the repose 
of the dead, by opening the graves in the 
church, which was in ruins, in hopes of finding 
valuables buried in the coffins, as they had done 
at Alcantara. 

April 2. The army advanced towards the 
Coa, and the brigades of the 1st division were 
cantoned at night-fall in villages about a league 
from the river. 

April 3. Soon after day-break the army- 
moved forward to attack the enemy in Sabugal, 
where General Regnier remained with the 2d 

corps 



318 



APPENDIX, P. 



corps d'armee. About mid-day the action com- 
menced by a brisk cannonade, and the enemy, 
being compelled to evacuate the town, drew up 
on an adjoining height, from whence they were 
dislodged by the light division in a most gallant 
manner before the other troops could come into 
action. General Picton advanced two miles in 
front of the town to the ground on which part 
of the enemy bivouacked. The attack being en- 
tirely unexpected, their tents were left standing, 
and were taken possession of with a considerable 
quantity of baggage, the greater part of which 
fell into the hands of the light division, whose 
conduct on this day obtained the approbation 
and thanks of Lord Wellington, and the admi- 
ration of the whole army. 

The light division was quartered this evening 
in Sabugal, and the principal part of the army 
got under cover in the adjoining villages, al- 
though some of the troops were necessarily 
obliged to bivouac. Heavy rain during the 
greater part of the day. Head- quarters at the 
Quinta of G on salvo Martinez in the vale of 
Monrisco, from whence they moved, next day, 
into Sabugal. The Guards were cantoned in the 
ruined village of St. Antonio, where they re- 
mained until the morning of the 5th, when the 

whole 



APPENDIX, P. 



3\ 9 



whole of the troops were again in motion. The 
Guards and Major-General Howard's brigade 
forded the Coa a mile and a half above Sabugal. 
This little town, which is on the Spanish side of 
the river, is of great antiquity, and surrounded 
with a wall. The handsome Moorish tower is 
still in great preservation. 

At noon, the 7th division passed through the 
column, which then proceeded to Xave, in w hich 
town the Guards and Major-General Howard's 
brigade halted for the night. 

April 6. The troops were in motion soon 
after day-light. The Guards, about 9 o'clock, 
passed through the ancient Moorish town of Al- 
fayates, and two hours afterwards, reached Al- 
dea Velha on the road to Villa Major. On the 
following day to Turcalhos, one league, and the 
whole of the British army now entered Spain again, 

April S. The 1st division halted, and, on the 
9th, advanced over the frontier through Albe- 
garia to the little village of Almadilla, two 
leagues from Villa Formosa, the head-quarters. 
The light division, at the same time, moved for- 
ward to Gallegos, and occupied their former 
cantonments. The French, when attacked on 

the 



320 



APPENDIX, P. 



the 3d instant at Sabugal, were on the point of 
firing a feu-de-joie in honour of the birth of the 
King of Rome, the account of which had just 
been received from Paris. 

After the action, Regnier made a forced march 
of 18 hours, and, on the 4th, reached the Ague- 
da, over which the whole of the army, (destined 
for the subjugation of Portugal, and to drive the 
English into the sea) were very happy to retire. 

The result of the operations in which the 
British army had been engaged for the last five 
weeks was highly satisfactory ; not a Frenchman 
at this moment remaining in the kingdom, with 
the exception of the garrison of Almeida, and 
the communication between this fortress and 
Ciudad Rodrigo was completely cut off; the 
combined army now occupyed a line, the left of 
which was upon the Douro. The mode of war- 
fare to which Lord Wellington restricted him- 
self in this pursuit of Massena, proved extreme-* 
ly embarrassing to the troops of the^ enemy, 
while the British army, having sustained few 
privations and undergone no unnecessary fa- 
tigue, was in the highest health and spirits, un- 
broken, and ready to enter upon any further 
operations to which they might be called. Mas- 
sen a's 



APPENDIX, P. 



321 



sena's array, on the contrary, was known to 
be disorganized and dispirited, and for some 
weeks was not again in a condition to take 
the field. The accounts constantly received, 
of the distress which the French suffered in 
the position at Santarem from a scarcity of 
provisions, and the consequent sickness of the 
troops, proved to be no exaggeration, and was 
fully confirmed by the inhabitants of these 
places occupied by the enemy, who, from a va- 
riety of causes, had remained in their homes. 
The French leader, apprehensive of being at- 
tacked on the arrival of the expected reinforce- 
ments from England, and fearing the conse- 
quences in the exhausted state of his army, at 
length determined upon a retreat, which was, in 
fact, become a matter of imperious necessity. 
However formidable the position at Santarem, 
the invincible spirit and superior discipline of 
British troops must have insured them complete 
success whenever an attack was determined 
upon. The French army, for the purpose of 
foraging, occupied an extended line of country; 
and the force in the town was by no means ade- 
quate to maintain it had a division of troops 
passed the Tagus in its rear, whilst the attention 
of the enemy was directed to points more im- 
mediately threatened, by which the principal part 

Y Of 



322 APPENDIX, P. 

of the attacking columns, owing to local cir- 
cumstances, must, of necessity, have approached. 
These considerations, and the distress of his 
army, had, doubtless, their weight on the mind 
of the French leader, who found himself in a 
situation of unexampled difficulty, to him, " the 
spoiled child of victory," altogether new, and to 
extricate from which, required the exertions of 
all his talents and of all his firmness. The re- 
verse which the Prince of Essling experienced 
in his attempts to subjugate Portugal, must 
have been the more painful to his feelings, when 
he reflected, that he had for ever tarnished his 
military fame by his vain, arrogant, and prema- 
ture boast in the face of the whole world, to 
drive the English into the sea, and plant the 
eagles of Napoleon on the towers of Lisbon. 
To the last moment was the farce kept up, and 
his deluded troops endeavoured to forget their 
wants in hopes of the plunder of the metropo- 
lis, the sole object of their thoughts, for which 
they had made so many painful marches, and 
undergone the most severe privations. In the 
theatre at Santarem, which the French officers 
had fitted up for their amusement, the piece re- 
presented on the eve of this memorable retreat, 
and brought out with every adventitious aid of 
scenery, calculated to dazzle the senses and in- 
flame 



APPENDIX, P. 



3Z3 



flame the passions of the soldiery, was the 
" Frenchman in Lisbon !" 

The most barbarous excesses were committed 
by the enemy throughout his whole line of 
march, and the inhabitants who, from age or 
sickness, were unable to quit their houses, be- 
came victims to the horrid brutality of the 
French soldiery. There is no atrocity of which 
these unprincipled ruffians have not been guilty ; 
every crime that stains the black catalogue of 
human cruelty having been committed on the 
persons and property of the poor wretches who 
had the misfortune to fall into their hands. The 
prospect before the advanced guard was always 
that of burning villages; of plundered cottages; 
of murdered peasants. The roads were covered 
with the dying and the dead ; with cannon, bag- 
gage, and ammunition, which the enemy could 
not carry off; with mutilated cattle; with every 
thing, in short, that could create horror and dis- 
gust — that could make the heart feel sentiments 
of indignation against the barbarous enemy, 
and of pity for the suffering and ravaged na- 
tives. Not unfrequently, however, the latter 
were able to revenge upon the invader the cruel- 
ties he had committed. In some of the villages 
y 2 the 



324 APPENDIX, P. 

the peasants had cut off detachments of the 
enemy, and put them to instant death. 

Nearly the whole of the once beautiful city of 
Leyria is reduced to ashes. The mansion of 
the rich, and the cottage of the poor, were alike 
the objects of the enemy's vengeance, and in- 
volved in one common conflagration by the 
merciless destroyer. 

The magnificent convent of Alcobaca has 
been burnt by Massena's order, and Batalha 
would have shared the same fate but for the 
massive strength of its walls, which resisted the 
sacrilegious attempt. 

A strong detachment of the corps d'arm6e 
which daily formed the rear- guard of the re- 
treating enemy, was specially allotted to carry 
the work of destruction into execution. 



APPENDIX, 



( 325 ) 



APPENDIX, Q. 

BATTLE OF FUENTES DE HONOR. 



Massena having collected the whole of the Troops 
in the North of Spain, makes an attempt to 
relieve Almeida. — Battle of Fuentes de Honor. 
— Almeida abandoned by the Garrison. 

Almadilla, 12th May, 1811. * 

Lord Wellington having learnt that the 
Prince of Essling had assembled a council of 
waratCiudad Rodrigo on the 1st instant, which 
was attended by twenty-six generals, and the 
enemy having for some days previously made 
frequent demonstrations on the left bank of the 
Agueda, it was supposed that the French chief 
meditated an attempt to relieve Almeida, or, fail- 
ing in that, to bring off the garrison, which was 
known to be now in much distress for provisions. 

On the following day the enemy crossed the 
river in force, and drove the light division out 
of Gallegos. The whole of the troops, in con- 
sequence, moved from their cantonments, and, 
on the 3d, this part of the army, under the im- 

y 3 mediate 



326 



APPENDIX, Q. 



mediate command of Lord Wellington, was con- 
centrated betwixt the villages of Fuentes de 
Honor in Spain, and Villa Fermosa in Portugal, 
two leagues from Almeida, and four from Ciu- 
dad Rodrigo. 

In the course of the same day the French 
army, commanded by Massena, having under 
him Marshals Marmont and Bessieres, and Ge- 
neral Loison, arrived on the plains on the other 
side of Fuentes, the key of the British position, 
and, about two in the afternoon, pushed forward 
several corps of sharp-shooters to attack the vil" 
lage, which was defended with the greatest ob- 
stinacy by the light troops; but the enemy, from 
his superiority of numbers, at length obtained 
possession of this important post, from which, 
however, he was soon after dislodged by the 71st 
Regiment, under Colonel Cadogan, at the point 
of the bayonet. This was a little before dusk. 
Next morning the enemy renewed his attacks 
upon the village, but every effort proved unsuc- 
cessful. 

At day-break, on the 5th, it was perceived 
that the enemy had moved the whole of his ca- 
valry, and several heavy columns of infantry, 
towards the right. About 6 o'clock his ma- 
noeuvres 



APPENDIX, Q. 



noeuvres seemed to indicate an attack on that 
point, and, soon after, the cavalry, deriving con- 
fidence from their numbers, advanced upon the 
British, which was their weak arm, and com- 
pelled them to give way; but, in retreating, the 
British cavalry repeatedly faced about and made 
some successful charges upon the enemy. Mean- 
while, the 7th division, which had been consi- 
derably advanced upon the plain, was directed 
to. fall back and form on the brigade of Guards 
posted on the right of the 1st division, and 
flanked by Captain Lawson's brigade of 9 --poun- 
ders, and some squadrons of cavalry. 

Their point d'appui rested on some broken 
and rocky ground, intersected with inclosures 
of stone walls, and copse wood, having a small 
river, the Turon, in the rear. 

Major- General Houston was enabled to exe- 
cute this retrograde movement in the face of an 
infinitely superior force, principally by the stea- 
diness and gallant conduct of the two foreign 
corps in his division, the Duke of Brunswick 
Oels' infantry, and the Chasseurs Brittanniques, 
under Lieutenant Colonel Eustace, who checked 
the advance of the French cavalry by several 
well directed vollies. The enemy had, previous 

y 4 to 



328 



APPENDIX, Q. 



to this, opened a tremendous fire upon the first 
line of infantry ; every shot that went over do- 
ing execution in the second line. 

The light division, which at first formed on 
the left of the 7th -division, also retired before 
the enemy's cavalry in echellon of squares, and 
in the finest order. 

About 11 A.M. the piquet of the Guards, 
consisting of 100 rank and file, under Lieute- 
nant-Colonel Hill, skirmishing in front of the 
brigade, was charged by a squadron of cavalry, 
which they repulsed, and were retiring upon the 
42d Regiment, commanded by Lord Blantyre, 
formed in columns for the support of the light 
troops upon some broken ground, when the ene- 
my returned to the attack in such numbers that, 
after seeing most of his officers and men cut 
down, Colonel Hill, being wounded, was com- 
pelled to surrender himself prisoner. 

Ensign Cookson was killed ; Ensign Stothert, 
of the Coldstream, wounded slightly and taken 
prisoner. Captains Home and Harvey escaped, 
although for some minutes in the enemy's hands, 
the latter slightly wounded. At this moment 
the 9-pounders having opened upon the French 

cavalry, 



APPENDIX, Q. 



329 



cavalry, they retired in great confusion. About 
the same time, the enemy pushed forward his 
light infantry upon the right, where they were 
met and repulsed by Colonel Guise, with the 
light companies of the guards, and part of the 
95th Regiment, under Captain O'Hare. 

The line was now formed with the 7th divi- 
sion on the right of the first division, having on 
its left General Crawford with the light division 
in reserve. Beyond were, those of Major- Ge- 
nerals Picton, A. Campbell, and Sir William 
Erskine. The left of the whole was on Fort 
Conception, covering Almeida. 

The principal part of the cavalry remained on 
the right. Brigadier- General Pack was sta- 
tioned with the Queen's Regiment and a brigade 
of Portugueze infantry watching Almeida, from 
whence guns were fired at intervals as signals. 

The 7th division subsequently crossed the 
Turon, and formed upon the hill in rear of the 
present line, on which, should Lord Wellington 
think proper to refuse his right, a new position 
was intended to be taken up. 

The firing slackened on both sides towards the 

evening, 



330 



APPENDIX, Q. 



evening, but the engagement was not finally- 
over until the close of day, when the enemy, 
who was repulsed at all points, remained in the 
same position as at the commencement of the 
action, being unable to gain a single advantage 
or make the smallest impression upon any part 
of the British line. 

The French army is stated to have been not 
less than 40,000 infantry and 5000 cavalry when 
they entered the field. Their loss is estimated 
at from 1500 to 2,000 killed ; and it is known 
that 3,500 wounded have been carried into Ciu- 
dad Rodrigo. Our loss has also been severe, 
amounting to 1,760 killed, wounded, and mis- 
sing; but this number falls short of what might 
have been expected from the length of time the 
troops were under fire. 

The principal contest was inFuentes, the pos- 
session of which was of the utmost importance 
to either army. Colonel Cameron* was mortally 
wounded at the head of the 79th Regiment in 
defending this village, 

* He was the eldest son of the gallant General Cameron, 
Colonel of the 79th Regiment. Another of his sons was 
killed in these campaigns. 

The 



APPENDIX, Q. 



SSI 



The hostile armies remained in front of each 
other on the two following days, and, in the af- 
ternoon of the 7th, were employed in burying 
their dead. 

During this interval working parties were 
constantly occupied in strengthening the posi- 
tion of the British by throwing up field-works. 

The enemy having received a reinforcement, 
a renewal of the attack was generally expected 
on the morning of the 8th, instead of which, at 
day -break, his cavalry videttes galloped off to 
the rear, and, soon after, several columns of in- 
fantry appeared moving in the same direction. 
The French continued their retreat on the 9th; 
but a strong rear-guard of about 2,000 cavalry, 
and several battalions of infantry, remained in 
sight. On the 10th, the British broke up from 
their position, and, while the light division, sup- 
ported by the cavalry, advanced towards the 
Agueda, the rest of the army returned to can- 
tonments, and the original investment of Al- 
meida was resumed. 

Colonel Trant arrived on the 7th with a divi- 
sion of Portugueze, and the corps of Don 
Julian Sanchez took a share in the action, 

and 



332 



APPENDIX, Q. 



and checked the enemy's movements on the 
right. 

Early on the morning of the 11th the garri- 
son of Almeida made a sortie, and cut their way 
to the bridge of San Felices through the British 
piquets, with the exception of 470, who were 
either killed, or wounded, and taken. 

General Brenier, the Governor, had previously 
blown up several bastions and the curtains next 
the Coa, and destroyed the guns of the fortress, 
with an immense quantity of stores in the arse- 
nal, which was burnt. The prisoners were most- 
ly in a state of intoxication, which was also the 
case with the French cavalry on the 5th instant. 

Soon after day-light, General Pack, with his 
brigade of infantry, entered Almeida. It ap- 
pears that the French evacuated the town about 
midnight on the 10th, and, having formed in 
column, waited near some ruined houses, a short 
distance from the walls, until the explosion took 
place. Their object was to destroy the rev&te- 
ment or outer rampart, and the branches of the 
grand mine were conducted accordingly. 

Anxious to ascertain the success of his la- 
bours, 



APPENDIX, Q. 



333 



bours, the commanding engineer remained be- 
hind, intending to follow the garrison on the 
Mulparteda road, but he is said to have perished 
in one of the chambers, owing to which circum- 
stance the whole of the mines were not sprung. 
The bastions of the faces nearest the Coa were 
demolished, and the intervening curtain de- 
stroyed. 

The stone work of the ramparts fell into the 
ditch, and part was carried completely over. 
No injury, on this occasion, was done to the 
town, which had suffered most severely by the 
explosion of the grand magazine in August last, 
previous to its surrender to the French. In con- 
sequence of that event, Almeida became one 
vast heap of ruins, a great number of the garri- 
son and of the inhabitants perished; the south- 
west curtain sustained considerable damages, 
and few houses escaped without receiving some 
material injury. Of the two magazines which 
were placed in the castle, (the most elevated spot 
in Almeida,) not one stone remained upon ano- 
ther, nor can the foundation of these buildings 
be now distinguished. 

The enemy had been for some days previous 
to the 10th, employed in spiking the guns and 

otherwise 



334 APPENDIX, Q. 

otherwise rendering them useless : the whole of 
the military stores were then collected in the ar- 
senal and set on fire. It is here proper to re- 
mark, that the French shewed some degree of 
consideration for the remaining inhabitants of 
this devoted town, and they do not complain of 
any ill treatment. 

The campaign, by the fall of Almeida, may 
now be considered at an end, as far as regards 
Portugal; and the whole kingdom has again 
been delivered from the yoke of France, whose 
hitherto victorious legions, under the command 
of their able chiefs, have, in every instance, met 
with disgrace and defeat when opposed to the 
British troops. 



APPENDIX, 



( 335 ) 



APPENDIX, R. 

BATTLE OF ALBUERA. 



Operations of Marshal Sir William Beresford on 
the Guadiana— Battle of Albuera— General 
Lumley's brilliant Affair with the French Ca- 
valry at Usagra — The Siege of Badqjos raised 
a second time — The whole of the Allied Army 
in the Alentejo — Lord Wellington in the be- 
ginning of August recrosses the Tag us and in- 
vests Ciudad Rodrigo, into which Marmont 
throws Supplies on the %4>th September, and 
advances over the Agueda — The Allied Army 
takes up a Position in front of the Coa — Mar- 
mont retires. 

Pinhel, 5th December, 1811. 

Previous to the commencement of Masse- 
na's retreat from Santarem, Marshals Soult and 
Mortier advanced from the south of Spain, in or- 
der to form a combined operation with the army 
of Portuo-al. In pursuance of this object the 
latter possessed himself of Merida on the yxh 
January, and forthwith invested Uadajos with 

his 



336 



APPENDIX, R. 



his infantry, placing his cavalry on the right 
bank of the Guadiana. 

General Mendizabel was dispatched to the re- 
lief of Badajos on the 20th of January, with the 
Spanish corps, which, under the command of the 
Marquis de la Romana, had joined Lord Wel- 
lington in the lines, on the 19th of October. 
After some trifling manoeuvres, the Spanish Ge- 
neral threw himself into the city, from whence 
he again withdrew his army on the 9th February, 
and took up a position on the ridge of St. Chris- 
toval, which commanded an extensive view in 
every direction. Notwithstanding this advan- 
tage, which appears to have been diregarded by 
General Mendizabel, the French army crossed 
the Gevora and Guadiana, surprised and totally 
defeated the Spaniards. The French cavalry 
pursued the fugitives (who, as usual, threw away 
their arms,) across the plain to the walls of El- 
vas, and captured the whole of the Spanish ar- 
tillery and baggage. 

The enemy was thus enabled to sit down 
quietly before Badajos ; and M. Mortier lost no 
time in breaking ground and commencing the 
siege. A small breach having been made on the 
10th, (but by no means practicable for assault, 

if 



APPENDIX, R. 



337 



if properly defended,) the traitor Imaz, who 
succeeded to the command, on General Mena- 
cho being killed, although apprized that Mar- 
shal Beresford was marching to his relief, sur- 
rendered the city, and a garrison equal in num- 
ber to the enemy. General Menacho had made 
every disposition for defending the place to the 
last extremity ; the streets were barricaded, and 
the garrison was well supplied with ammunition 
and provisions for a month. 

The French had previously obtained posses- 
sion of Olivenza and its garrison, consisting of 
3000 Spaniards ; but a Portugueze force of only 
Q50 men bravely defended the fortress of Campo 
Mayor from the 14th to the 21st of March. On 
the 25th, Marshal Beresford, having been rein- 
forced by the Hon. Major-General Cole's divi- 
sion of infantry, advanced against Campo 
Mayor, which the enemy abandoned on the ap- 
pearance of the British and Portugueze cavalry. 
Two squadrons of the 13th dragoons, and two 
squadrons of Portugueze charged the French ca- 
valry, who were broken and pursued to Badajos, 
but the infantry effected their retreat to the for- 
tress in a solid body, although with considerable 
loss, and recovered the cannon which had been 
taken by the allied cavalry. It was unfortunate 

z that 



338 



APPENDIX, R> 



that the infantry were not combined in this ope- 
ration, as the capture or destruction of the ene- 
my would have been completely effected with 
their assistance. 

After this affair, Sir William Beresford threw 
a bridge over the Guadiana at Jurumenha, and 
in the course of the 4th and 5th of April he 
crossed with his army ; then leaving General 
Cole's division to attack Olivenza, he advanced 
with the whole of his remaining force, and drove 
the enemy (who did not think it expedient to 
risk an action) into the Sierra Morena. Having 
accomplished this object, and Olivenza having 
surrendered to the Hon. Major- General Cole on 
the 15th April, Marshal Beresford returned to 
undertake the siege of Badajos, which place was 
completely invested on the 7th of May by the 
allied army, and a Spanish corps commanded by 
Don Carlos D'Espagne. On the following day 
the batteries were opened against fort St. Chris- 
toval, and the garrison returned a very brisk fire 
upon the besiegers. 

Sir William Beresford having received infor- 
mation on the 18th, that Marshal Soult was ad- 
vancing from Seville, dispatched a courier to 
Lord Wellington with that intelligence; and 

judging 



APPENDIX, R. 



339 



judging it necessary to suspend his operations 
against Badajos, the heavy field train was sent 
back to Elvas. Lord Wellington lost no time 
in reinforcing Marshal Sir William Beresford 
with the 3d and 7th divisions of infantry, under 
Generals Picton and Houston, and proceeded 
himself to Elvas, which his lordship reached on 
the 19th instant. Meantime, however, the bat- 
tle of Albuera was fought on the heights, above 
the village of that name ; and Marshal Soult was 
completely repulsed by the allied British and 
Portugueze army under Sir William Beresford, 
and a corps of 10,000 Spaniards, commanded by 
Generals Blake and Castanos. 

The superior numbers of the enemy's cavalry 
enabled him to make good his retreat towards 
Seville, which he commenced on the morning of 
the 18th, two days after the action. The Hon. 
General Lumley followed them with the British 
and Portugueze cavalry to Usagre, where the 
enemy, having collected a considerable force, 
attacked the allied cavalry on the 26th instant. 
Major-General Lumley had previously retired 
through Usagre, and having posted his troops 
on some favourable ground behind that village, 
waited the enemy's attack. Three regiments 
dashed through Usagre in a very resolute man- 
% 2 ner, 



340 



APPENDIX, R. 



ner, but had scarcely formed when they were 
charged by General de Grey's brigade of heavy 
cavalry and completely overturned. The French 
cavalry immediately broke and fled, leaving a 
number of prisoners and killed and wounded on 
the field. The nature of the country did not 
permit General Lumley to follow up the advan- 
tage which he had so happily gained with a very 
trifling loss. 

The siege of Badajos was now resumed, and 
on the 2d of June batteries were re-opened 
against fort St. Christoval and the body of the 
place. A breach having been effected in fort St. 
Christoval, an attempt was made on the 6th of 
June to carry the work, and subsequently, on 
the night of the 9th, both of which failed, and 
the besiegers retired with loss. Before day- 
break, on the 6th of June, the Guards once more 
marched from Aim ad ill a, and passing through 
Aldea de Ponte, arrived about 8 A. M. at the 
miserable village of Robilosa, where they halted 
until noon. The brigade then marched by Al- 
fayates to Soita, and bivouacked about a mile 
beyond. 

At four in the morning of the 7th, the Guards 
at the head of the 1st division moved off to Sa- 

bugal, 



APPENDIX, R. 341 

bugal, and crossing the Coa at the bridge, took 
up a position on the left bank of the river, and 
threw out strong piquets to protect the fords. 
In the course of the day the light division and 
the 6th arrived on this ground. This movement 
was occasioned by the enemy's having pushed 
forward a considerable body of cavalry and some 
infantry in front of Ciudad Rodrigo, on which 
Sir Brent Spencer withdrew his outposts, ex- 
pecting to be attacked on the 7th or 8th by the 
whole of the enemy's force in that quarter. These 
operations of the French leader, Marshal Mar- 
mont, ^who had succeeded to the command of 
the army on Massena's recall to Paris,) appear to 
have been made with a view of masking his real 
intention ; for early in the afternoon of the 8th 
it was ascertained that the enemy was moving 
in force towards the pass of Bainos. The troops 
were then directed to proceed to the Alentejo, 
and on the 14th and 15th the column crossed 
theTagus at the romantic pass of the Villa Vel- 
ha, over a flying bridge. Lieutenant Johnston 
of the Royal Artillery was unfortunately drown- 
ed while trying this ford. 

On the 1 6th the brigade entered Portalegre, 
in which city the 6th and light division were also 
quartered, and on the 19th the 1st division 
z 3 marched 



342 



APPENDIX, R. 



marched to Assumar, and the light division to 
Aronches. On the 23d the Guards advanced 
to St. Olaya, and halted near that town. 

Previous to this period the commander of the 
forces had again raised the siege of Badajos, the 
enemy having assembled the whole of his dispo- 
sable force in Estremadura, and still retaining a 
considerable superiority in cavalry over the Bri- 
tish. On the 22d the enemy advanced 40 squa- 
drons of his cavalry and some field-pieces, for 
the purpose of making a reconnoissance; but 
although they carried off a piquet of the 11th 
Dragoons, commanded by Captain Lutyens, yet 
on the appearance of the British and Portugueze 
cavalry, the French retired into Badajos, without 
having seen the position of the allied army, the 
right of which rested upon Elvas, the line ex- 
tending along^ a ridge intersected by the small 
river Caya, towards the fortress of Campo May- 
or, in which the 7th division of the army was 
quartered. The main body of the allied army 
was in huts. 

In the beginning of July, Marshal Soult, leav- 
ing from 6 to 7,000 men in Badajos, placed 
his army in cantonments, having his head quar- 
ters 



APPENDIX, R. 



343 



ters at Asugal; Marmont at Truxillo-; and Reg- 
nierin Merida. 

The British and Portugueze army continued 
in camp until the £4th July ; being the anniver- 
sary of the battle of Talavera, an entertainment 
was given at Head -quarters, and a ball in the 
evening, which was attended by General Casta- 
nos and his suite, the officers in garrison, and 
some of the principal inhabitants of this city. 

Marmont having passed the Tagus, and esta- 
blished himself at Placentia ; in the beginning of 
August the main body of the British army re- 
crossed the river at Villa Velha, and the com- 
mander of the forces fixed his head-quarters at 
Fuente Guinaldo, about two leagues from Ciu- 
dad Rodrigo. Part of the infantry was pushed 
forward on the Salamanca road, and all commu- 
nication cut off betwixt the fortress and the 
enemy. 

As it was known in the early part of Septem- 
ber that a convoy was preparing at Salamanca, 
destined for the relief of Ciudad Rodrigo, the 
combined forces were assembled on the line of 
the Ao'uedaon the 23d of that month. About 
2 P. M. on the following day, the head of the 
z 4 convoy 



344 



APPENDIX, R. 



convoy was observed entering the fortress, and 
in the course of the same night the whole arriv- 
ed. For its protection, the enemy had assembled 
a large army, consisting of 55,000 infantry and 
6,000 cavalry. Of this force General Baraguay 
D'Hilliers,CountD'Orsenne,brought£2 ; 000from 
Salamanca, and the remainder were the divisions 
under Marmont, which, since their retiring from 
Estremadura, had been cantoned at Placentia, 
Talavera de la Reyna, and other towns on the 
upper Tagus. Previous to the enemy's approach, 
the British outposts were withdrawn to the left 
bank of the Agueda; over which the enemy 
pushed his advanced guard, two regiments of 
cavalry and 3000 infantry, on the evening of the 
24th. 

Next day at noon the enemy moved a force 
upon the 3d division, Major-General Picton's, 
which remained in a strong position on the right 
bank of the Azava, and the French cavalry ad- 
vancing in considerable numbers, took two 
pieces of Portugueze artillery, after cutting 
down the men at their guns. The 5th regiment 
then charged in the most gallant stile, retook 
these two pieces, and subsequently retired with 
the 77th regiment in one square, the 19th Por- 
tugueze regiment forming another, before the 

French 



APPENDIX, R. 



345 



French cavalry, who repeatedly charged three 
faces of the British square without effect. This 
manoeuvre was directed by the Hon. Major-Ge- 
neral Colville ; and the 11th Light Dragoons, 
commanded by Colonel Cumming, and German 
hussars, succeeded in keeping the immensely su- 
perior force of the enemy in check. 

About three o'clock the enemy appeared in 
front of Carpio, and his movements having ma- 
nifested a design upon that village, a place of no 
importance, Major- General Alexander Campbell 
withdrew the 6th division behind the Duas Ca- 
sas to the woods in front of Nave d'Aver. 

On the 26th of September the enemy was in 
motion to the right. He also shewed a force 
in front of Fuente Guinaldo, and deployed in 
view of the British already drawn up in line un- 
der the immediate orders of Lord Wellington ; 
but after some time he relinquished his intended 
attack, and having reformed his columns, con- 
tinued his movement to the right. 

At three in the morning of the 27th of Sep- 
tember, the 1st "division marched through Villa 
Mayor to Bismula, which they reached before 
noon, and at ten P. M. the troops were again in 

motion. 



346 APPENDIX, It. 

motion, and made a night march to Rondo, 
which they passed about four in the morning, 
and halted in a wood half a mile beyond. Heavy 
rains for some hours. In this position, the left 
of the ground on which the commander of the 
forces had determined to meet the threatened at- 
tack of the enemy, the 1st division remained un- 
til the following day, and then crossed the Coa 
to take up cantonments in the valley of the Mon- 
dego ; and thus ended the active part of the 
campaign of 1811. 

GENERAL GRAHAM'S ORDERS. 

Rondo, 28M Sept. 1811. 

The Lieutenant-General has received the or- 
ders of his Excellency the commander of the 
forces, to march the troops into cantonments, as 
the enemy has abandoned the attempt of attack- 
ing the army in this position. He is confident 
that f he left could not have been forced, defend- 
ed t . such troops as he has the honour to com- 
mand. 



FINIS. 



London : Printed by C. Roworth, Bell-yard, Temple-bar. 



